Insurance company has no inspector in my area

hellnearth

Hi there
On Sunday I had a toilet overflow and flood our downstairs bathroom and hallway. I called my insurance company and they managed to get a plumber to come out that evening. He traced the problem to blocked drain in the garden and managed to sort it out. The water has almost completely saturated the hall carpet and got under the laminate flooring in the bathroom.
The insurance number I'd phoned was the Home Emergency Dept and when I asked him about the damage to the flooring he advised me to phone the general number the next day.
I did this and they took all the details and assigned me a claims manager who phoned me later that morning. Then around 4pm I got another call from another adviser saying that as they don't have anyone in my area to inspect the damage ( I live on a Hebridean island ) I will have to take send samples of the flooring and they will make a 'desktop assessment' for a cash settlement.
This is all going to take time and I am concerned about the wooden flooring under the coverings as it is wooden. The laminate flooring is showing signs of buckling already.
What do I do? Should I get someone to come and lift the carpet and laminate for me?
I am going to try to get hold of the claims manager again tomorrow but I have a feeling he is just going to tell me the same thing about sending them samples. How can they fully assess the situation without someone coming to see it?

hollydays

Wait until the offer you a sum of money before worrying.
So you've got carpet over a wooden floor and you are concerned? Is it hard to lift the carpet yourself?
You need to speak to your insurers for advice.
How long does post take?

Hintza

Take photos and more photos at each stage. Lift the carpet yourself and get a builder or two in to give you some quotes. I'm very surprised they haven't just asked for that.

hellnearth

Thanks for the replies. Postal times are good, unless it's a day like today - plane didn't come in because of fog. I could probably lift the carpet myself, but the underlay which is sodden too looks like it would be difficult to lift. And the laminate I wouldn't know where to start with. Not too sure how I'm supposed to get sample of that.
The pictures are a good idea and I'm off work tomorrow so will see if I can get someone to look at it for me.