How to claim for lost freezer contents from energy providers after power cut

gwhite237

Recently we had a power cut that lasted from 10pm Friday to 1pm Sunday and even though we never opened the freezer door, the contents inside perished.

I have called British Gas (as I get dual fuel from them) but they said it is the provider SSE I should contact. I went through to SSE via their complaints procedure but they say that they do not cover this and I should go though my home contents insurance. (ironically, if I had eaten out or stayed in a hotel they would have covered that!).

If I go though my home contents insurance I will lose my no claims bonus and have to pay a £50 excess and the claim is only for c£75 anyway.

Has anybody experience this and know what to do?

Thanks.

Nada666

gwhite237 wrote: »

(ironically, if I had eaten out or stayed in a hotel they would have covered that!).

'Annoyingly' or 'irritatingly' is what you mean. There is no irony in this.

Suppliers and distributers are not liable - if the default compensation is not enough (about £54 in your case, I assume) then you either take the loss or jeopardise future insurance premiums.

You can ask but they have no obligation to compensate you further.

(Frankly it's the manufacturer of the freezer you want to be able to chase down for compensation - of course, you can't. These incidents are made worse with modern houses and central heating.)

ic

Nada666 wrote: »

(Frankly it's the manufacturer of the freezer you want to be able to chase down for compensation - of course, you can't. These incidents are made worse with modern houses and central heating.)

Why? Most Freezers will remain safe for 18 to 24 hours without power. The power cut was for 39 hours. Chances are stuff was just defrosting and still edible if cooked. Unless of course it was a freezer full of ice and ice cream.