Cunningham lindsey loss adjusters

Jsvh

Hi I'm looking for some help and advice please I've recently had an escape of water in my home which resulted in the full water tank emptying through my kitchen. My home insurance has passed my case to Cunningham Lindsey the loss adjuster has been out and had a look at things not said to much but has said I'm probably looking at a new kitchen. While they were here they've gone through contents which was damaged like shoes, coats carpets etc. They've made an offer which to me seems ridiculously low if I decline this offer can anyone help on where this leaves me? Or do I have to accept there offer on this part of my claim? Thanks

tempus_fugit

You don't have to accept the offer, but if you don't then you might be asked to prove values etc. There should be some room for negotiation though, I'd start by asking them how they come to their figure and go from there.

Blibble

You don't have to accept it - that's why it's an offer.

If you decline the offer, you'll be asked to substantiate why you feel more is required on a new-for-old basis (except clothes and shoes, which are sometimes settled with a percentage deducted for wear).

Have you filled out a content inventory with the loss assessor? Can you ask for a copy of that so you can ascertain how the assessor has reached the settlement offer?

Caz3121

there have been previous threads on water damage and fitted kitchens and many policies will only cover the units that are actually damaged e.g. if it was floor water then the wall units may not need replaced. You also need to check if your policy covers matching as many don't, if so, and your current units are no longer available you may have a better case for an increased offer

Jsvh

Thank you for your responses there's a lot of damage like the floors the bathroom cabinet upstairs and the kitchen it's literally the whole kitchen I'm entitled to and they've made me a ridiculous offer today that kitchen is no longer available I've tried looking everywhere for it. There offering me under 4K to replace everything and redecorate like that figure is ludicrous. So then today while I was on the phone I tried asking about there contractors and what there offering like kitchen, etc.. and my case workers response is he can't tell me anything about that or what's on like offer to me until I agree to them doing the work?? Like how can I agree to something that I have no information on how can they even get away with saying this to me. It's like saying buy a certain car with out looking at first. I just don't know where to go with it all my head is fried and I'm now very stressed I'm a single parent with 3 young kids it's all to much having the kitchen the way it is when I'm still sterizling bottles and things ��

Jsvh

Can I also add that they've not even assessed the ceiling in the kitchen like it might need to all come down and be re done, all the walls need replastering from where (Belfor) the company they sent have taken off the wall paper and pulled chunks of the wall out. Theres also a wooden step at the back door that needs removing and replacing as the leak was directly above that to, theres a tile thats now loose in the bathroom to as a result of the leak. They don't seem to be taking any of that in consideration, I really feel that there trying to take advantage of me or basically force me into using there contractors.. would I be better of seeking legal advice? I do have some builders coming out to price everything up for me I've had my kitchen priced up and at a minimum really thats 3000 on its own thats even with out installation. The company Belfor they sent out to deal with some of the stuff the other day they've said they did 4 hours work when I reality they did like and hour an hung around for the other 3 they were suppose to patch test my fridge and washer machine, none of that was even done.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Blibble

Jsvh wrote: »

Can I also add that they've not even assessed the ceiling in the kitchen like it might need to all come down and be re done, all the walls need replastering from where (Belfor) the company they sent have taken off the wall paper and pulled chunks of the wall out. Theres also a wooden step at the back door that needs removing and replacing as the leak was directly above that to, theres a tile thats now loose in the bathroom to as a result of the leak. They don't seem to be taking any of that in consideration, I really feel that there trying to take advantage of me or basically force me into using there contractors.. would I be better of seeking legal advice? I do have some builders coming out to price everything up for me I've had my kitchen priced up and at a minimum really thats 3000 on its own thats even with out installation. The company Belfor they sent out to deal with some of the stuff the other day they've said they did 4 hours work when I reality they did like and hour an hung around for the other 3 they were suppose to patch test my fridge and washer machine, none of that was even done.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Who is your buildings insurance with, as some of this is a buildings aspect of the claim rather than contents?

As above, if you believe 4k is an incorrect valuation for the contents works required, contact your loss adjustor and request their valuation schedule. Nothing can be done until you see that as per the advice above.

Different contractors will do different parts of the claim - Balfor may not have been PAT resting the electricals? I'd also get some advice from your insurer for who is dealing with which parts of the claim.