advice needed on motor insurance claim

Sidtoon

Hi, I am new to this forum, I joined to try and gain some advice on a current motor insurance claim I have going on at the moment.

I am a self employed builder and my van was broken into on the 8th of June, most of my tools were stolen which my insurer have told me were not covered by my policy (The tools are not the issue I have though). I called my insurance company as soon as I discovered the incident after I called the police, they informed me that they would recover the vehicle to a local garage to arrange repairs. Over a week passed before my van was taken to the garage, bearing in mind I cannot work without my van. The garage refused to give me a courtesy vehicle because apparently they don't supply commercial vehicles only cars so I still couldn't work.
Two weeks after the vehicle was recovered and numerous phonecalls to the garage and my insurance company to find out when it was going to get repaired I received a letter from my insurer saying my van was a total loss becuase they deemed it an uneconomical repair.

It's almost been a month and I'm still no closer to getting this mess sorted out, I have been unable to work because I have no vehicle. What I wanted to know is can I claim loss of earnings from my insurer because they have been absolutely useless in sorting my claim, if I hadn't constantly been on the phone to them I don't think I would be this close to getting a settlement.

Quentin

You can try but don't hold your breath.


Make a formal complaint about the length of time taken and take it from their reply

rs65

What he said. You might get a few quid but its only been three weeks so really isn't that bad.

If the van is critical, next time buy cover that comes with a guaranteed replacement. And, insure your tools. Do you have liability insurance? You could probably buy a tradesmans package for liability and tools.

Could you have hired a van?

InsideInsurance

Loss of earnings is an uninsured loss so cannot be claimed under the terms of the policy.

Now if you want to complain about the length of time has caused unnecessary losses then take it down that route, presumably you are a vSME so have the option of going to the ombudsman if you arent happy with their response but none of the timing you mention sound grossly long and at most a few days out.

If your business is dependent on a critical piece of equipment then you should always have a Plan B of what you do if its taken out of action.

Marktheshark

Sounds like you were under insured for the risk.
They are only Liable for the cover you bought, any other losses would have to be sued if they catch the person that did the crime.