Insurers refuse to make cash settlement

Segandy

Hi all,

sorry if this has been on before but I had a look and couldnt really see anything that was the same as my question.

My insurers (Sheila's Wheels) have agreed to pay for a new front window as the current one has been damaged by storms.
They sent out their own contractor who assessed it and sent a report.
They approved the work but I said I wanted to use my own contractor as I knew his work.
After submitting 2 further estimates they agreed that I could use him.
I stated that I wanted them to send the cheque to me and I would pay him. They refused this and said they would either wait for his invoice or send a cheque to me but made out to him.
Both of us are happy if the insurers pay me and I deal with his payment.
Can anyone advise if Sheilas Wheels have any obligation to pay me a cash settlement or do I have to go with what they say?

thanks in advance
Andy

Quentin

For what should be obvious reasons, you have to do what they say!

Can you come up with a good reason why they should fall in with your plan? If so, put it to them, and argue your case with them.

rs65

This is what the current policy says.

If your buildings are damaged in any of the circumstances explained in Part A, Sections 1 to 11 of your policy,
we can choose to:
• pay the cost of work carried out to rebuild, replace or repair your buildings; or
• arrange for your buildings to be rebuilt, replaced or repaired.

If they pay the repairer it suggests that they are responsible for the repairs - better for you. Why do you want them to pay you?

adamc260

I would think the reason they don't do it.. and I'm not saying your doing this is they've probably had people say 'It will be £500...' but then only billing their 'friend' say £400 and letting them pocket the difference etc.

Segandy

well I suppose I'm after a bit of a fiddle if I'm honest - just trying to lose the excess.
I read on here somewhere from a loss adjuster that its better for them to pay cash as they do it in some kind of 'without prejudice'? and theres no chance of any comeback on them if there are issues with the work

chanz4

So you are trying to do insurance fraud. tut tut

Segandy

not really, well i spose it is but money is tight these days!
any advice other than the above?

FlameCloud

Segandy wrote: »

not really, well i spose it is but money is tight these days!
any advice other than the above?

It is fraud, whether you choose to accept it or not. You are in essence trying to present an inflated bill to your insurers. This is why they will insist on making it payable to the contractors.

The insurers will not be liable for any defects in work provided the invoice doesnt have their name on it.

Quentin

Segandy wrote: »

any advice other than the above?

Come at it another way. Get your mate to give you a commission for getting him the job!

raskazz

chanz4 wrote: »

So you are trying to do insurance fraud. tut tut

On my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, it's not fraud as such as the insurers are happy to pay the figure specified in the estimate in order to repair the damage, and furthermore have their own assessor's estimate for comparison. Furthermore it won't even work - even if they did allow a cash settlement, the insurer would just deduct the excess from that settlement (unless the OP is implying that the estimate has been arrived at by adding the cost of the excess to the actual cost of the work, and the contractor will bung him the excess back).

opinions4u

I hope they can identify who you are from this thread.

Then they'll pay the contractor and cancel your policy and make your replacement policy elsewhere very expensive.

It's fraud. It's criminal.