Property in a Rented Flat Ruined - Any Advice?

barnaby-bear

scorpio_princess wrote: »

Just a thought, but would a contents insurer pay out if contents were damaged due to something outside of the insured person's control? I don't know how the whole claims thing works, but do they ask why something needs repairing or replacing?

What you mean like something outside their control - for example "a burglar".....

WiseOldBird_2

scorpio_princess wrote: »

Just a thought, but would a contents insurer pay out if contents were damaged due to something outside of the insured person's control? I don't know how the whole claims thing works, but do they ask why something needs repairing or replacing?

Contents insurance is to cover accidental damage/loss. Usually companies want to know the background, and if they think the policy holder has been negligent they can refuse to pay out. Example: if you left your front door open when you went out and someone nicked your TV, they would probably refuse to pay out. I guess it varies from policy to policy.

Wings

Whilst it is usual for tenants to insure their own possessions, in the instance that you have posted the damage was caused through the disrepair of the premises you were renting. I would have thought that therefore your claim is against the landlord, who in turn would make a claim on his premises insurance.

The negligence in this case is against the landlord, and that would be not too dissimilar to the situation if you were to suffer damage to your property whilst staying in a hotel,if the hotel was negligent, then your claim would be against the hotel.

Bargain_Rzl

WiseOldBird wrote: »

Contents insurance is to cover accidental damage/loss. Usually companies want to know the background, and if they think the policy holder has been negligent they can refuse to pay out. Example: if you left your front door open when you went out and someone nicked your TV, they would probably refuse to pay out. I guess it varies from policy to policy.

I have a related question. I live in a block of 10 flats with a communal entrance (sturdy security door) and each flat has a wooden front door with two locks.

Hypothetically, how would my insurance company be likely to view it if I went out in the morning, locking both my own door and the main door behind me, but then one of my neighbours later went out through the main door without securing it properly and MY flat was broken into?

I ask this question for a genuine reason - SOMEBODY is in the habit of not shutting our main door properly.

epz_2

if it were me i would threaten to contact his insurance saying you had no intention of signing up but the landlord would only pay for the damage to your property if they sighned it and he is attempting to defrod them. then say if he dosnt agree in writing to cover the damage then you will take him to the small claims court for his negligance and will be asking for addintional costs for the period the place was un rentable etc plus i would be looking at reporting him to the inland revenue and any landlord watch organisations to generaly cause them hassle.

frankly i wouldnt have given up the keys till they had paid for the damage, its likely they are are just incompitant but why mess about, its not a matter for some insurance company to offer compensation, if they can claim great but frankly if the landlord had botherd to fix the roof when requested.