Scottish Water have left me in the poo..... Should I have to claim on my insurance.

Korkyb

Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Long version of the buildup to this sad tale is here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...scottish+water

Short version is:

- 5 years ago got sewage / rain water coming back into my downstairs shower flooding downstairs of house. House is at bottom of steep hill / road.

- Scottish water investigate and find my drain has been connected to storm drain. Old house so no idea when / who did this - Claimed on my insurance to pay for damage.

- Scottish water dig up road / pavement and tell me that they have connected my house directly to main sewer and they will responsible for maintenance of the new run (its all under the public pavement / road).

- All good for 5 years......

- 5 weeks ago getting water coming back up into shower again (small amounts) reported immediately to Scottish water and have been chasing them up since.

- 3 Days ago emptied bath upstairs which caused sewage (yuck) to come out or rainwater gully / grating across the road from me.

- Chappie comes with camera the next day - he cant really figure whats going on with local sewers / storm drains but can confirm that we have been connected directly to (? another) storm drain (at least one grating / gully but possibly more up the hill).

- Yesterday evening there was a short sharp downpour of rain and the result is the bottom floor of my house has been flooded with not very nice brown liquid. Far worse than it was 5 years ago (guess what I've been doing night..... with a mop.... I did contact Scottish Water last night and they said that a "clean up crew" couldnt come out until today, just to let all the cack soak in I presume).


So my question is - given that Scottish Water appear to have been negligent by connecting me directly to a storm drain should I have to claim on my insurance and incur all the ongoing costs that entails or should I be pursuing them to pay for the damage which is likely to be significant (flooring in hallway, large kitchen, dining room as well as the bathroom. Bottom of furniture also covered in brown liquid.

Personally I feel that as Scottish Water (or their contractors) have made a massive clock up they should foot the bill.

Should I contact my insurer anyway ???

Any advice gratefully received.

Repeat to self....... keep smiling....keep smiling......keep smiling.....

yangptangkipperbang

I think your best bet would be to contact your insurance company and tell them the story and say that you believe that Scottish Water should carry the can (sorry !) for this. Your insurers might then take up the fight not only on your behalf but on theirs too.

Korkyb

Let the puns begin :-)

Thanks for that.

Thinking about it if I pursued Scottish Water directly I probably wouldnt get "new for old" as I would through my insurance.

I'm just hacked off that I will end up paying for this in increased premiums when it appears clear that the incident was caused through someones neglegence.

Could I claim on my insurance and at the same time pursue Scottish Water seperately for financial compensation for the increased premiums and in-CONVENIENCE (see what I did there...).

Also what can I claim for ?? The sludge level was higher than the previous occasion so my dining table / chairs were sat in it and the skirting boards and possibly walls will probably have been contaminated with the lovely stuff. Where will the insurance company draw the line?

rs65

What I would doo-doo is claim on my insurance and let them pursue SW for their outlay (any any losses I incur such as policy excess).

Korkyb

Quick update.

Come to an agreement with Scottish Water.

Refund of annual sewerage charges - £320 ish
Refund of insurance excess - £450
"Goodwill" gesture - £500

Probably as much as I was going to get from them.

£820 ish in our pocket for the fun and games they provided.