Home Insurance Claim Question

Matilda1

Hi,

I'm new here so hope I'm posting in the right place.

3 weeks ago we put in for a claim with our insurance company as the pipe to the toilet had leaked and ruined the bathroom floor. My husband guessed we would have to rip everything up and start again, when the assessor came out a couple of days later he confirmed this.

We were told to either call a builder from the list provided by the assessor or to bring in a local one and to send off the quote to the insurance company asap. The assessor actually recommended we use a local guy as the job wasn't too big.

My husband chose a local builder and we sent the quote off (£1486 + VAT) after a couple of days. The money arrived in our account 10 days later, minus the £200 excess on our policy. We were told that once the work was completed we should send a receipt to the insurers and they would refund us the VAT. I'm guessing they don't do this until you've paid to minimise people trying to scam them.

Anyway to finally get to the point (sorry!) the builder is now busy for quite a few weeks. If we get someone else in or choose to get a plumber in and my husband does the rest of the work do we need to tell the insurers? I don't want to get in trouble with them if we end up doing it for less than what they've given us or we use a different company. They've actually been really good to us, a surprise since you hear so many horror stories. We do have another bathroom so it's not too much of an emergency except my husband can't fit in that bath (he's too tall not fat ;-))

Sorry about the novel and hope I've done this right. Thanks to anyone who could advise.

InsideInsurance

Generally they wont have a problem with you using a different builder. They evidently felt the first one was ok for the work the assessor said needed doing and for your area.

Obviously if your new builder wants more money you are unlikely to get any additional money unless it is due to additional damage found when stripping things back

Buzby

I can see a problem. Is your husband going to do the additional work for free? If the replacement builder completes his part of the task for less, you will not be able to provide the invoice showing the paid amount less VAT.

It really depends on whether they (a) notice or (b) make an issue of it. It nights be worth a quick call to see what their position is.

Matilda1

Hi, thank you for your replies.

Buzby, that was what I was worried about. If my husband does the main work only using a plumber for the things that need an expert hand we obviously will not be paying as much labour costs. This means we will probably spend less than they have given us unless we go for a higher standard of fixtures and fittings. And we won't be able to provide a final receipt of all works completed.

I'm leaning towards just waiting for our original builder and sending them his final invoice. Otherwise it all seems to be getting a little complicated and maybe too close to possibly getting into trouble?

As I said the insurers have been really good so far and I don't want to annoy them! Do you think a phone call to ask about this would make them think twice and possibly question our original claim?

Sorry for more questions, thanks again for both of your replies.

InsideInsurance

Ultimately speak to the insurers and ask. It is normally acceptable for people to accept the net amount as Cash in Lieu of repairs and the insurer doesnt care if you use the same builder, do it yourself, another builder or just keep the cash and live with the issue.

Matilda1

Sorry it's taken me a while to update this but thought I'd let people know that I spoke to the insurer and InsideInsurance was correct. My husband will be completing the work on the bathroom and they have no problem with this.

Thank you for the advice I received.