Too late to claim for accidental damage?

DCurrer

Having seldom added accidental damage cover to my home contents insurance in the past, I totally forgot it was included in my current policy when I ruined the finish on a rosewood dining table with a spilled hot cup of tea earlier this month. I used Which? Local to find a couple of recommended furniture polishers, got quotes and went with the one with the best recommendations, at a cost of £420.

He did a great job, but it was only when telling my sister-in-law about it afterwards that she mentioned insurance cover. The penny dropped, I checked my paperwork and sure enough - my new policy with Nationwide includes accidental damage cover! However, the policy terms state that I need to contact them BEFORE making arrangements for any repairs.

Might it still be worth ringing to ask if they'll consider a claim - or will I just open myself up to having my policy marked as 'Claimed, but rejected', with the loss of any no-claim discount and an increased premium next year simply from placing the call? Has anyone had any experience of this, please?

FutureGirl

You can call them to see if you can claim. However, they may well have a supplier that could have done the job, so you may get less than the £420 back. Also factor in your excess which will be deducted from this as well.

You won't lose your NCD if it's rejected, but your premium will increase.

Blibble

As FutureGirl notes, you may well be entitled to make a claim although it will not be as simple as sending Nationwide an invoice for the works carried out. Nationwide will have their own supplier who could offer a discounted rate, and this will be the best they could provide as partial reimbursement of the cost you have outlaid.

The reason the clause is in the policy booklet that you need to make Nationwide aware before commencing restoration is that it is now extremely difficult for their supplier to make an accurate valuation of the works that would have been needed, as it's already been restored by another party. The invoice you have may well be extortionate - they are not to know. They also don't know if an insurable event even occurred - they cannot verify cause of damage etc.

FutureGirl

Just noticed it's Nationwide. They definitely do have a company that could have done the re-polishing.

DCurrer

Thanks to both of you. I can understand why the insurance company wants to be alerted before any repairs are done; I just wondered whether they do make exceptions on a 'goodwill' basis occasionally. On balance, I guess I'm probably better just swallowing the expense this time, while aiming to ensure I don't make the same mistake again, should any other accidents happen!
(Note: I do have photographs of the damaged table, as they were wanted by the people I asked to quote for repair.)

FutureGirl

It probably isn't worth claiming in this instance. If you paid £420, Nationwide can probably do the same thing for £250 - £300. Factor in your excess, and it won't really be worth it.

Blibble

I'd suggest it's not economical for you to pursue it - the excess & premiums increase (and loss of NCD if applicable) would soon outweigh what is probably a £300 claim tops.