Can I claim on buildings insurance?

Sun4

Hello,

Hope I'm in the right place - apologies if not. My hardwood patio doors and frame have been badly damaged by a flood on my patio. I am having remedial work done to the patio to ensure this doesn't happen again (I think patio had been laid too high) but wondered if I could claim for the damage to the doors & frame?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Sun

_Andy_

Crazy idea but have you thought of ringing your insurance company and asking?

Sun4

Andy - sarcasm, I was always told, is the lowest form of wit - if you can't be helpful, perhaps saying nothing is the better option - see forum etiquette. Of course I have rung the insurance company, only to be fobbed off. Hence the request for advice.

VictorM_2

Why did they fob you off? Something to do with a faulty design exclusion?

bouncydog1

When was the patio laid? As if it was laid too high you may have a claim against the builder that laid it.

Other than that, suggest you advise who your insurer is and people can have a look at the wording.

What did you tell the insurers by the way - did you suggest that the flood was caused by the height of the patio in relation to the doors?

Sun4

Thanks to VictorM and BouncyDog for replies. Insurers (1st Quote) say that because the patio was "faulty workmanship" they won't consider a claim for the doors. Patio was there when we bought house so no idea who laid it. It was during a particularly bad rain storm that the water gathered on the patio and flooded, via the doors, into the dining room. The bottom part of the door frame was completely ruined. We are happy to pay for remedial work on patio - as the insurers won't even consider paying for that - but think we should be able to claim for doors. Thanks again. Sun

TSx

Can you tell us who the policy is with and provide a link to the policy wording if possible?

Sun4

Thanks TSx. Wording is "Cover is provided for an extensive list of perils such as flood but not damage due to faulty workmanship, defective design or materials." This is from 1st Quote who are part of BDML Connect.

TSx

Do you have accidental damage cover on the buildings or just standard cover? And do you know who the underwriters of the policy are (1st Quote / BDML are just a broker)?

Sun4

Hi TSx - Hero Insurance which I believe is part of the Capita Group. Accidental Damage is not included. Sun

VictorM_2

I would imagine that the exclusion would be in the AD cover section also - pretty much every insurer would exclude for faulty workmanship.
The thinking is a builder can't do a terrible job in building something then expect the customers insurer to fix it, claim from the builders insurance.
If you have legal expenses cover that might help you - if not go to the Citizens Advice Bureau.