RSA refuse claim as severe weather wasnt near enough to property

mrs_catlover

Hi can anyone help me please? I've had my insurance with Royal Sun Alliance for over 2 years and have not claimed. On Friday night in the heaviest downpour in the Midlands (Severe Weather warning in force), water started to pour through the frame in an upstairs bay window. I put towels at the bottom of the window and waited for the rain to stop. I've just rang RSA as I dont know if it was from the roof, the gutter, or a badly fitting bay window which may have damaged the roof or the ceiling of my daughter's bedroom. I was told that as the severe weather, according to the forecast, was 3 miles away they would not process the claim, or send anyone round to look at the property. I have never heard of this exclusion and hope that if the ceiling falls in due to water damage, they may let me claim then, or maybe find another excuse not to process a claim. I thought the whole point of having house insurance was to protect your house if something happened - not to find excuses not to process!

vax2002

Deal with them in WRITING ONLY ; a EMAIL is NOT writing, do not phone, put your claim in writing and only include a postal address .
If your name on your insurance is in BLOCK CAPITALS, put you name on your letter in BLOCK CAPITALS, to force contract as served.
Get the reply in writing, send them a Notice of Deadlock letter and pass the case on to the FOS.

lisyloo

I thought the whole point of having house insurance was to protect your house if something happened

It is to protect you from some perils e.g. flood, but notable it is not to protect you from poor workmanship or maintenance (and you mention a badly fitting window).

You need to raise a formal complaint.
Find the insurer formal complains procedure either on-line or in your documentation and raise a complaint.
Try to be clear on what the problem is and what you want them to do about it. Sounds obvious but many of us can go off into "rant" mode.
Do this ASAP as it can take many weeks.
You have recourse to the FOS (financial ombudsman service) which is free and independent but also slow (which is why I say start the clock ticking ASAP).

We don't know enough to judge your claim but you should be aware that faulty workmanship and lack of maintenance will not be covered (and you freely admit the badly fitting window).

lisyloo

and pass the case on to the FOS.

You cannot go to the FOS after having a claim turned down.
You need to raise a formal complaint with the insurer FIRST and let them try to resolve it.

If you are in doubt after getting contradictory advice then check your insurers complaints procedure.

Faith177

A lot of companies use this ruling to protected against properties that have not been correctly maintained.

When was the last time your roof was checked, gutters cleared ect as this will have a further bearing on if they decide to deal with the claim as they may feel that the roof not being properly maintained was a cause of the incident.

You can complain to the FOS as they have to take any complaints relating to a claim. They will take the information forward it to the insurance company who will then have 8 weeks to respond to you with their final response once this has been received and if you are still not satisfied you can then go back to the FOS.

mrs_catlover

Thank you for your posts - the window was fitted over 5 years ago and I have never had a problem - the window is a large bay and I havent said that it was badly fitted. I had my whole house re-fitted and am happy with the workmanship. I just dont understand how the insurance company can be so dismissive. I shall vote with my feet and find another insurance company in December - if my house is still standing then.

ihateyes

unfortunately this is a get out for insurers.

10years ago this wouldve been covered. but what they do now for weather damage is go by the closest weather station and if it didnt rain hard enough or blow hard enough they want pay out.

remember a weather forecast is what may happen. they certainly cant guarantee where and when the rain will exactly fall.

dacouch

What damage are you claiming for?

ILW

dacouch wrote: »

What damage are you claiming for?

There does not seem to be any mention of damage done by the weather.