New Build Insurance

tiredofpoorservice

Slightly esoteric - not many people will be in this position.

Does anyone know anything about Premier Guarantee - they insure (among other things) new build properties (similar to NHBC, whom we have heard of - we had never heard of Premier).

We live in a new build property (or, at least, it was 7 years ago) and we have been experiencing various issues. At the behest of the insurance company we have had a chartered surveyor in to inspect - his report found that there were various structural problems. But Premier have still rejected our claim.

The frustrating thing is, of course, that we did not choose Premier - the builder of the house did. It would have been in our interests to choose the most reliable insurer. It would have been in his to choose the cheapest. It seems entirely unreasonable that we are constrained by his choice here. I suspect that Premier is the choice of the cowboy builder. Does anyone else have any knowledge or experience that relates to this kind of issue?


Thanks


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rs65

tiredofpoorservice wrote: »

The frustrating thing is, of course, that we did not choose Premier - the builder of the house did. It would have been in our interests to choose the most reliable insurer. It would have been in his to choose the cheapest. It seems entirely unreasonable that we are constrained by his choice here. I suspect that Premier is the choice of the cowboy builder. Does anyone else have any knowledge or experience that relates to this kind of issue?

You maybe didn't choose but you chose the house and therefore the builder.

NHBC, Premier and Zurich are probably the main providers of this type of cover.

Builders don't have to use either. We bought a new build ten years ago and had neither.

If you are not happy, make a complaint and take it to the ombudsman if needed. The procedure is in your policy.

In theory you can buy this cover yourself but the practicalities and cost involved would be prohibitive so there is no market for it.

If you are happy to post reasons for declinature, people may be able to help.

tiredofpoorservice

Thanks for the reply, rs65.

There were various issues but the main one was mortar coming down from under the ridge tiles on the crest of the roof. I had never heard of this happening before and there are houses around here, subject to the same environmental conditions, which have been around for scores, in some cases hundreds, of years without this being an issue. As well as being detrimental to the long-term stability of the roof it is also a potential hazard to passers-by, parked cars, etc.

The chartered surveyor who did the report concluded that it was due to an inferior or incorrect mix of mortar being used. Premier concluded that this was normal wear and tear and was a routine maintenance issue - as if I could nip up to the top of the roof every other month to deal with it.

Does this context help?


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[Deleted User]

Sounds like Small Claims Court might be the best option. Mention it, see if they change their tune, if not file your claim.