Have letter stating we are covered - now they tell us we're not !!!

goodmorningsunshine

I live "4 in a block" all flats are bought.

Condition of buying flat was that we had to take "factor and factors insurance" Factors just bill you for management fee and buildings insurance.

So, on the 5th Dec 13 we had one almighty storm, and my neighbour got some water into her kitchen (she stays upstairs).

A few weeks later we all received a letter from factors stating "the building had suffered storm damage and that the insurance covered this". There would be someone out to assess the damage and that could we phone the insurance company to send a claim form.

A week after the 1st letter, we received another from the factors stating that they had contacted the contractors and asked them to carry out repairs for the damage done.

The neighbour who was getting water in, was told it was major work requiring scaffolding and rough casting.

We waited, nothing came, no letter, no quotes, nothing.

So I phoned as the claim form from the insurance company stated we should have the quote for the repairs and claim form back to them within 60 days from date of damage. I was told there is no problem as you have asked for your claim form so a claim had been lodged and that they had been in touch with the insurance company letting them know this.

We waited, again and again.

I phoned them last week, and was told someone would get back to me - no one did.

Today, I arrive home to be told that the "contractors" had been out to look at damage.

My neighbour said they were told "its not covered under the insurance and that it will cost you 7,000 each.

Any opinions/advice would be most welcome.

Quentin

You need to see the policy and find out why the claim has been rejected then take it from there.

(Sounds as so they may have discovered the fault is a result of a maintenance issue which won't be covered)

goodmorningsunshine

Sorry, but should mention, we have not sent anything to the insurance company as we have been told nothing, until today. It was the actual contractors who said we were not insured.

.... sounds as if the fault is a maintenance issue ..........The factors maintain the building, and are paid well to do so.

But will look at the policy, although I take will need to know what the actual damage is first.

[Deleted User]

Factors should pay for it. Tell them they need to get it sorted out and see what they say. If they refuse you might be able to try the ombudsman, or if not will have to take them to court to force them to.

goodmorningsunshine

DELETED USER wrote:

Factors should pay for it.
please tell me more, why you think the factors and not insurance company?

Tell them they need to get it sorted out and see what they say.
Can you guess what they are likely to say?

If they refuse you might be able to try the ombudsman, or if not will have to take them to court to force them to.
Do you think we have good enough cause to take this action?[/QUOTE]

This is just the answer I have been looking for, but obviously need to know how other people know or are thinking this is the case. Very grateful for all advice given.

goodmorningsunshine

Update;

Has anyone ever been asked by their factors to sign a statement as follows;

"As this is an owner lead repair I need to have authorised signatures from the other peple in the building before they can send someone out to quote prices for the repair.

Please note that this signature is to give permission for a quote only and is not permission for the repair work to be carried out"

Somethings fishy !!!

We only have word of mouth from someone who came and had a look
told my neighbour it was "wear and tear", would not come under the insurance, would cost 7,000 each and thats after a grant of 7,000 each.

We have heard nothing from factors or insurance company in writing.

How do we proceed?

hugoshavez

goodmorningsunshine wrote: »

Update;

Has anyone ever been asked by their factors to sign a statement as follows;

"As this is an owner lead repair I need to have authorised signatures from the other peple in the building before they can send someone out to quote prices for the repair.

Please note that this signature is to give permission for a quote only and is not permission for the repair work to be carried out"

Somethings fishy !!!

We only have word of mouth from someone who came and had a look
told my neighbour it was "wear and tear", would not come under the insurance, would cost 7,000 each and thats after a grant of 7,000 each.

We have heard nothing from factors or insurance company in writing.

How do we proceed?

Never any harm in getting quotes. Can you see the roof from ground level? With binoculars maybe? Any idea what's wrong with it?

goodmorningsunshine

hugoshavez wrote: »

Never any harm in getting quotes.
Absolutely not, just seems very strange, the factors need our signatures to send someone out to quote, we have never needed signatures for a quote before, and they are
the factors should they not be getting the quotes for us, thought thats what we paid them for.

Can you see the roof from ground level? Yes, absolutely nothing wrong with the roof - fairly new (about 5 yrs old)

With binoculars maybe? Any idea what's wrong with it?
In the storm, we think that a piece of the sofit came loose
which is now letting rain in when it is wet and windy.[/QUOTE]

Still find it very strange or maybe I'm just a doubting thomas.