Tesco home insurance no decision 9 weeks and counting

amilotte

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with Tesco.

In a nutshell.....
I have had build/contents insurance for 11 years and this is my first claim. My Son burnt our 8ish week old carpet with a hairdryer which was in the living room (we were packing for holiday). The carpet was a cheap carpet we paid £260 (we have 3 children so had replaced our old wool carpet with a cheaper one with the hope this one would not stain!!). Called Tesco straight away but heard nothing until we chased them on return from holiday. I had officially set up a tiny business selling sweet trees to mostly friends 4 days before, this had been a little hobby that had grown after several requests to buy them and being honest I made it official. My husband has been running his property maintenance business from home for a few years too, we both have the relevant insurances for our businesses.

Tesco are now saying that because I had not told them I was running a 'business' from home they may not pay out. Apparently they may not have insured me if I had told them I was selling sweet based gifts from my home?!?!? They have spoken to me twice to confirm that no one enters my house in relation to my business (which they dont unless they are my friends) but still I have no answer either way and it is now 9 weeks.

My excess is £100 so I am only asking for £160.

Does anyone have experience of them? I have also had my car insurance with them for 11 years and used to recommend them! I now have no faith in them whatsoever that if I ever needed them they would assist. After 11 years they will be losing me as a customer of House/build (for approx 6years) and car cover...... all over £160???

I really feel like I have been peanalised for being honest about having this tiny business (I sold 4 trees the month following the claim!)

huckster

A bit silly. Yes you should have told them and they would have asked you for certain info. Normally what happens following a claim, where this is found out, is that the Insurers will request the business from home info and will then underwrite the risk backdated, so they can see how this would have affected the claim. From what you are saying, the claim made had nothing to do with the businesses you were running.

Suggest that you speak to the customer services manager at the Insurers and see why this taking so long to resolve.

amilotte

Thanks for your reply.

Yep, I accept that I should have told them, it was a busy time. I had to set up my business insurance, work the 'day job' and also get ready for our holiday so unfortunately it wasnt at the forefront of my mind over those few days. Also, as you say the living room is nothing to do with my business, its all done in the kitchen then collected from my front door.

The damage a blatant burn mark the exact size of the hairdryer nozzle - absolutely nothing to do with my sweets. Just wanting a little common sense from Tesco's part I guess.

The chap I have been dealing with says he cant see what the problem with the claim is so its very confusing.

I shall get back onto them tomorrow.

dacouch

I assume you have accidental damage cover

Faith177

Considering the amounts involved is it even worth claiming considering how much your premiums might go up by following the claims. Some companies load a premium anything up to 75% for an AD claim.

Good Luck with Tesco if you have any problems you could always try go to the FOS for help