Insurance claim not going well - help

alilou1982

Hi forum

I wondered if anyone could give me some advice. Up until 2 months ago I lived in my 1 bedroom flat with normal buildings and contents insurance with Sainsbury's home insurance. 2 months ago I moved out and rented it to a couple, I cancelled my insurance with sainsbury's and took out landlords insurance with another company called simple landlords insurance. 3 weeks ago it became apparent that the bathroom floor was soaked in water and rotting, the floor then started to collapse. This had not been noticed previously and was a new development. I contacted my insurance company who sent a loss adjuster who said the work would be covered by the insurers.

A builder assessed who said it was possible that there had been a slow leak under the floor for some time and the whole floor and the bathroom would have to come out, also it looks like the kitchen floor is damaged and therefore the kitchen and kitchen floor has to come out. As you can imagine it's a big expensive job and I was relieved the insurance will cover it.

But now I received this email from the loss adjuster

Hello Alice.Insurers have raised a concern that the extent of the problem and particularly the rot show that thec water has been leaking for quite some time and that some of the damage may pre date their coming on coverin May.-I am in discussion with them and will advise you further asap

I can't see how this is fair as I was unaware of the problem and the damage to the floor has happened in the last 2 months.

Any advise of what I can do or what the outcome of this might be?

Thanks
Alice

p.s I've looked through my policy and it's all gobbldy gook to me. Very vague using fancy words.

kingstreet

Presumably this is a leasehold flat? If so, why were/are you insuring the buildings? That's the responsibility of the freeholder and your service charge should contribute to the block buildings policy.

huckster

You may need to have Sainsburys Insurers contribute towards the claim. The loss assessor should have come across this before and it may just be a case of the two Insurers contributing. Messy, but hopefully should not delay matters too much.

Perhaps the loss assessor can confirm how they can help in liasing with the two Insurers.

inoutnotsure

Based on your quick comments, I would say minor water leaks are generally hard to detect so you could try to argue because is was hidden under the floor and 'you cannot reasonably have expected to know this'. You could also argue you have not been living at the property and the tenents were slow to report this problem.

However, if there is rot, then this leak would have happen for a long time and you would have water stains in the ceiling. Hence when your the insurers concerned because this is a 'gradual event'.

Kingstreet, I presume because it's her flat, she needs building and contents insurance because she owns the flat but just renting it out.

alilou1982

Thanks

I do not pay service charge just ground rent therefore I have to have my own buildings insurance. I am going to try and argue this because I can't afford to pay for this. I'll keep everyone updated thanks

bouncydog1

You should also locate your previous policy - if you have thrown away the documents see if you can find the reference on the payment instruction to the bank (if paid by direct debit). If not give them a call and ask them to provide the number.

Pass this information to the loss adjusters as per Huckster's post.