Food Spoilage Compensation due to Power Cuts

podwin

I thought if you paid for a service and didn't get what you paid for, in today's claim society there may be a way of claiming for food stuff ruined for a power cut.

National distribution say it is down to your supplier as that is who you pay your electricity to. My supplier say it is down to the distribution network as they are the ones responsible for getting the power to my house.

I know I can claim on house insurance, but I was thinking that would be if my fridge/freezer packed up, and my premium would only go up no doubt.

Anyone any ideas, or is it just tough?

spiro

For a power cut the distributor only has to pay compensation (not a lot) if you are off supply for 24hrs or more. A freezer can keep food frozen nearly that long if not opened.

podwin

Thanks, it has been 16 hours and stuff already feels soft in the freezer.

I would have thought it would have lasted longer.

dogshome

Before putting a claim on your Household policy, check the amount of Excess you have to pay when making a Claim

On mine it's £100 and it would be unusual to have that value of food in a Dometic Freezer

podwin

Yeah true, it's not worth it.

I found out it has been due to thieves stealing copper from the substation.

Is this kind of thing ever going to end? I could #### 'em. I bet they went home to a nice warm house last night, or caravan.

macman

podwin wrote: »

Thanks, it has been 16 hours and stuff already feels soft in the freezer.

I would have thought it would have lasted longer.

It will-if you don't keep opening it to check.

minx69

your local distribution supplier is responsible for paying compensation. check the OFGEM website for which company to contact but my DNO gives £54 for being off over 18hrs, it goes up by £27 for each additional 12hrs off supply (domestic customer, businesses get more) capped at £216.

this does not apply to planned interuptions (they have to give 2 days notice, normally a card through the door) or extreme weather events.

fwog

Well,Im sat here on Valentines night , middle of a power cut. restaurant booking cancelled, hotel room in limbo as we can't leave our kids in the dark (16 and18) .
Whole night ruined. I suppose its not covered for compensation ? I'll just sit here and watch all my plans evaporate. Thanks a bunch western power you clunge nuggets :mad: :mad: :mad:

geri1965_2

fwog wrote: »

Well,Im sat here on Valentines night , middle of a power cut. restaurant booking cancelled, hotel room in limbo as we can't leave our kids in the dark (16 and18) .
Whole night ruined. I suppose its not covered for compensation ? I'll just sit here and watch all my plans evaporate. Thanks a bunch western power you clunge nuggets :mad: :mad: :mad:

Compensation for what? It is hardly their fault you cancelled the restaurant booking and hotel. 16 and 18 year olds should be quite capable of looking after themselves. I was working full time at 16 and 18 is an adult in the eyes of the law!

Ich_2

Fixed compensation is payable by the DNOs after 18 hrs, they, generally, do not cover freezer contents.

For future reference don't keep checking the freezer contents as that is letting warm air in and will hasten de-frosting. If it is warm wrap the freezer in a duvet or blanket to provide additional insulation to keep the contents cold

Thanks a bunch western power you clunge nuggets

Do you think they did it deliberately? Do you not think their staff would rather be at home (OK they will be getting overtime, but we would all rather be at home with our families than out working on a dark February night)

Ich_2

National distribution say it is down to your supplier as that is who you pay your electricity to

as already stated it is absolutely you DNO that is responsible. Saying that who are National distribution as they are not a DNO I've heard of?

Link to DNOs
http://www.energynetworks.org/info/emergencies/electricity-emergencies.html