Electricals after a house fire?

DevCoder

Angelina-M wrote: »

Krisdory none of us are into counselling, maybe we should be and we wouldn't be here.

Going through something like this will always be tough but losing our child was the toughest thing so its a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.... if I say it enough times it may happen!

Maybe, and maybe you have your own way of dealing with things. Counselling isnt for everyone. I only started about 6 years later and that was due to me reading about bereavement counselling where there was no cost or forcing of what you should be going through. They explained the steps of sudden grief but didnt push you into any one step or through a "regime" of steps to fixing the grief. They just let you talk (and sometimes just for both of you to be quiet for the session) and guided you through heping yourself.

Hopefully there is some organisation like that near to you for when or indeed if you feel you need someone to speak to. You might never need it.

Either way, you have my full sympathy and please post on the Family forum if you just want some general support or just to ask questions non DIY related.

Angelina-M

Well not really a way of dealing, just going on. I just don't feel I have the energy to deal with it at the moment. We knew it was going to happen as my daughter was ill for four years before we lost her. In some ways that must be easier than losing someone suddenly. I feel for you too.

Th hardest bit about the fire was losing my daughters belongings. The second hardest is trying to find the strength to start this uphill struggle. One room at a time I think...

Avoriaz

Is there any point in appealing the insurance company decision?

Have you taken expert advice or consulted the insurance ombudsman?

I can understand them rejecting a claim for a deliberate attempt at fraud but this is a case of a breakdown in mental health.


I wish you all the best in recovering from a serious of traumatic events. I get the impression that you are strong willed enough to rebuild your lives and find happiness again.

Take care.

NeverEnough

I agree, I would appeal to the Insurance Company as your son was mentally ill at the time of the fire - if someone is sectioned, they do not have the capacity to make rational decisions, so I would get proof of his admission and the fact he was Sectioned, to them, being very clear that your son was not in his right mind at the time and was sectioned as a result. Escalate the appeal eventually right up to the ombudsman if it is rejected the first time, don't just accept it, it is not right that they are saying your son did this deliberately as in a criminal act, when he was so unwell mentally that he ended up on a Section.
You should at least get SOME contribution in the end. I would even involve the local press and get my MP lobbying for me in these circumstances. Hope all is resolved in time x

Angelina-M

Thanks for the info guys.

The insurance are well aware of the situation with our son. They have the Psychiatrists report etc. Interestingly the police had the exact same report and said they were not pressing arson charges as they could clearly see that our son was not of sound mind at the time.

We have a solicitor helping us now but it still seems ridiculous. Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see it wasn't done deliberately!

Thanks again

gaynormurray

So sorry to hear of your loss, I really feel for you all! We had a bad fire (accidental) in our house, lost everything and took months to rebuild etc. I agree with the above, keep badgering everyone and deffo involve the local press and your mp. When our house burned down, we were told we were not entitled to an empty council house, as our house was privately owned (we were put in an hotel, nice, but not ideal with 3 children!) but when my mum phoned our local MP (John Major, at the time!) and told him about us, within a day we had been allocated an empty council house! The press were amazing too and we had loads of offers of help. Good luck for your future and God Bless! x

dacouch

If you don't mind a long wait (As the Ombudsman is very slow) I would recommend you make an "Official Complaint" to your Insurers and if this does not work take it to the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman looks at what is fair rather than policy wordings, a court of law looks at what the policy says and what the law says. If you take it to court and lose you cannot then use the Ombudsman, if you take it to the Ombudsman and lose you still have the option of going to the Ombudsman.

It would be worth posting on the MSE Insurance forum for the contributers to see if your Insurers is correct in declining the claim.

I've seen a similarish situation drunk tenant started a fire which burnt the house down, the poster went straight to court against MSE contributers advice.

Bear in mind a solicitor will take on cases they know they won't win as they get paid whether you win or lose, so take this into account when making a decision on going to court

SuzieSue

Hi OP,

I'm very sorry to hear about what has happened.

From what I have read and seen on TV, insurance companies are oftne heartless and it takes negative publicity to change their decision. No-one in their right mind would agree with the insurance company and it is just this sort of case that journalists can take up for you.

I don't know if you ever read the Saturday Telegraph but there is a lady called Jessica who fights for exactly this sort of thing. I really think that before you spend money on solicitors that you should write to her. You could also write to Rip Off Britain which is a daytime BBC programme.

Angelina-M

Thanks again.

We have already sent the letter of complaint, telling them we don't understand their reasoning. Our solicitor is compiling our case for the ombudsmen. At this stage I won't do anything else but if we are unsuccessful after that I will consider making a fuss and contacting other outside sources.

We all pay our insurance so that if the worst happens we will be covered. It seems that insurance are a law onto themselves and its just not fair.

tlh858

If an electrical appliance has been smoke damaged, it is essentially scrap.

Smoke leaves residues on every surface, and these residues are electrically conductive, and so will have seriously compromised the electrical insulation of the appliance. Smoke usually contains various other corrosive chemicals, which will seriously damage metals, plastics and other materials.