Will accidental damage cover mice chewing wiring?

Halle71

The same week that we first heard mice in our house the power also tripped on the ground floor and our electrician suspects mice have chewed through the wiring between the understairs cupboard and lounge.
He has done a quick fix and is coming back to do a thorough check to confirm so I don't want to approach our insurance company yet, but I just wondered if anyone has experience in this area?
We have a buildings and contents policy with Halifax, and added accidental damage.
Thanks

rs65

Check your policy but I suspect loss or damage caused by vermin is a general exclusion.

paddyandstumpy

As per the above, it's normally excluded.

However, check your wording on the off chance. You'll need to check for any exclusions under the extended/optional A/D cover, also under general exclusions.

eddddy

Also, bear in mind the insurance excess and increased premiums for 3 to 5 years. It might be cheaper to pay the electrician's bill yourself.

Halle71

Thanks for the replies.
The electrician is hoping there is enough 'give' so he can pull the wires through to the under stairs cupboard as he has identified a problem within 2m of the fuse box. If he can't it will be a bigger problem because we have had new flooring installed in the hall and lounge a year ago so this may have to come up - this is when we would claim if possible.

The wording is, of course, not very helpful. It is not specified in he buildings cover on p 15-17.
It will probably come down to whether or not the mouse intended to chew through the wire or not. I can't imagine he/she did. However, the good news is, that we caught one of the little b*ggers in a trap last night.

Any other [FONT=Agenda Bold,Agenda Bold][FONT=Agenda Bold,Agenda Bold]accidental damage [/FONT][/FONT]to the [FONT=Agenda Bold,Agenda Bold][FONT=Agenda Bold,Agenda Bold]buildings [/FONT][/FONT]of [FONT=Agenda Bold,Agenda Bold][FONT=Agenda Bold,Agenda Bold]your home [/FONT][/FONT]which is not specifically covered or excluded in buildings cover on pages 15–17.
Examples of cover include putting your foot through the ceiling whilst in the loft or drilling through a pipe.

rs65

Halle71 wrote: »

The wording is, of course, not very helpful.

Have you read the General Exclusions?

dacouch

It looks like you are with Halifax.

Here is the relevant exclusion.

"Any loss or damage caused by

• Fungus, moths, vermin*, insects, parasites,
woodworm or beetles.

* Vermin are animals or insects that are destructive
in their natural behaviour or are considered pests
or nuisances, examples include rodents, weasels,
squirrels, flies and cockroaches."

paddyandstumpy

dacouch wrote: »

It looks like you are with Halifax.
"

That made me chuckle first thing. Good market knowledge! :T

eddddy

paddyandstumpy wrote: »

That made me chuckle first thing. Good market knowledge! :T

Or perhaps good Google skills!...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Any+other+accidental+damage+to+the+buildings+of+your+home+which+is+not+specifically+covered+or+excluded+in+buildings+cover+on+pages+15%E2%80%9317.

rs65

eddddy wrote: »

Or perhaps good Google skills!...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Any+other+accidental+damage+to+the+buildings+of+your+home+which+is+not+specifically+covered+or+excluded+in+buildings+cover+on+pages+15%E2%80%9317.

Or perhaps post #1

paddyandstumpy

rs65 wrote: »

Or perhaps post #1

Oh yeah! :doh: