Building Insurer not interested in helping with major stain

Dick_here

Hi all


Long story short - we've a stain that is slowly getting worse, no roof leak (was but fixed), no plumbing leak, last plumber (via Homeserve) confirmed that and suggested contacting Bldgs insurer and asking about trace and access cover to get them round to investigate.


Insurer was completely unhelpful - only interested once cause of problem is known, not interested in helping finding out the cause !


So I'm trapped. Problem getting worse, professionals can't explain it, insurer not willing to help until they do explain it.


Help ! Any ideas where to go next ?

huckster

If you have no trace and access cover, then finding out cause of a leak is at your cost.

Which Insurers ?

What is the policy called e.g Home plus gold ?

Then people can have a look, as most policy wording can be viewed online.

Where is this leak in the house ?

Dick_here

I have trace and access cover but they say they need to know the cause before they will get involved. It's esure

forgotmyname

Try calling again and see if you get a different answer.

Maybe down to the wording? Is the building being damaged by the suspected leak?

Tanks and pipes, maybe they suspect its from a leaky roof or similar?

huckster

I suspect that you have failed to describe anything, where Esure feel justified in spending hundreds or thousands damaging your house to find out why there is a stain.

There is no leaking water showing, only a stain ?

Where is this stain and what colour ?

Is there a bathroom anywhere above this stain ?

Do you have shower tray or tiled floor above ?

With plastic shower trays, you can have small crack in the tray that is only visable on very close inspection, when someone is standing on it. I have seen this numerous times, where someone does not know where a leak is coming from.

FutureGirl

If you have no idea what the cause it, and you tell your insurer this, they won't help. The policy is there to pay for damage that is covered under the policy, and the onus is on you to prove you have a valid claim.

If the plumber thinks its a leak, then your insurer may help, depending on the policy wording.

What exactly did you say to your insurer?

Dick_here

I've explained the issue in more detail here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5614089


I told the insurance company that I'd had roofers and plumbers round who've confirmed it isn't a plumbing or roofing leak. I assumed 'trace and access' meant the insurers would come round to trace the source of the problem after professionals have only been able to eliminate certain things, but they say they need the cause established first, i.e. the 'trace' doesn't seem to do anything of the sort.


I'm not even desperate to make a claim, but I'd expect the insurers would be interested in seeing what damage may be being caused to a building they insure, but they're not, grrr.


From the other thread, I'm thinking the chimney tar angle makes sense now.


Thanks for any advice, and that offered already

huckster

!!!!

I think you are misunderstanding what the trace and access cover is about. It is about finding a currently active problem relating to an Insured peril e.g water leak from a fixed water, heating or draining apparatus.

What you are describing is a home maintenance issue and not related to Insurance. Check the standard exclusions. Does not cover damp issues.

If the chimney dirt is occasionally coming through with damp, this is not an Insurance issue.

Dick_here

huckster wrote: »

If the chimney dirt is occasionally coming through with damp, this is not an Insurance issue.

I went to the insurers as a last resort and only because the last plumber who visited told me to and to mention trace and access.


Whether it is an insurable event is secondary to me. First, I need to find out what is the cause of the problem - professionals have been unable to explain it, hence on their advice I contacted the insurers who are completely uninterested - until it is explained. Catch-22. What do you suggest I do next ?

takman

!!!!_here wrote: »

I went to the insurers as a last resort and only because the last plumber who visited told me to and to mention trace and access.


Whether it is an insurable event is secondary to me. First, I need to find out what is the cause of the problem - professionals have been unable to explain it, hence on their advice I contacted the insurers who are completely uninterested - until it is explained. Catch-22. What do you suggest I do next ?

You can pay for someone to come and find the source if you are unable to find it yourself. The insurers do not have access to any professionals that have special skills that you couldn't hire yourself.

mattk_180

!!!!_here wrote: »

I went to the insurers as a last resort and only because the last plumber who visited told me to and to mention trace and access.


Whether it is an insurable event is secondary to me. First, I need to find out what is the cause of the problem - professionals have been unable to explain it, hence on their advice I contacted the insurers who are completely uninterested - until it is explained. Catch-22. What do you suggest I do next ?

It might be secondary to you but it's primary to them. They're not going to spend X amount of money only to find that the problem is caused by a peril that is not covered under the policy.


I don't know what the solution is, but I also can't see how an insurer is going to find the problem any better than a professional would. Surely that's who they'd hire anyway!