House Insurance Claim-Can I choose my own supplier?

dramredgerbil

I presented 2 quotes for carpets etc. to the insurer after a burst pipe. The insurers will pay the lower quote to me but withhold VAT. they will only give me VAT on presentation of receipts. I don't want to use this supplier as they are too expensive and I have a huge excess. Instead I would like a wooden floor. How can I get the full amount and spend it how I like.

frugal_mike

I'm not sure I understand your problem. Your excess will be the same no matter which supplier you go with, so getting a cheaper supplier wouldn't help you as you would still need to pay the excess.

mattyprice4004

Unless they say you can, you can't. They have to replace the damaged carpets, not replace with a different type of flooring.

SuperHan

Ask them. They make give you VAT on presentation of any receipt, they are only stalling I'm guessing because of their ability to claim VAT back and needing a VAT number (although questionable given their exempt status as insurers, but I'm guessing it's not that straightforward, but that's an aside).

I would guess they're willing to pay you the entire amount up front as they don't really care what you spend it on, so long as they've paid out.

Or try and find a non-VAT registered floor fitter and then there won't be a VAT element to claim back.

yangptangkipperbang

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

Unless they say you can, you can't. They have to replace the damaged carpets, not replace with a different type of flooring.

I had a water leak in a previous house, 3 rooms needed flooring replacement.
I had "negotiations" with the insurer and his appointed contractor and struck a very reasonable deal to replace the flooring in two rooms with a different type.