Claiming water escape/damage

redabici

The drain in our shower doesn't work properly, which caused overflowing of water which is fine most of the time (just a puddle on the floor). But this morning the hubby took an extra long shower and water flooded the bathroom floor, seeped through the ceiling into the hallway and kitchen downstairs. We had water dripping from the walls, and light fixtures. The carpet in the hallway is soaking wet.

We mopped up everything, and the heating is now on, but I'm worried that the water might have pooled up somewhere inside the ceiling, and/or under the carpet in the hallway that might cause long-term damage/moulds. The tiles in the bathroom also lifted up. There weren't much sealing in there.

This is our first home and we just moved in 3 weeks ago. I called insurance company, after passing me back and forth to 4 different people, no-one could give me a straight answer. Our insurance do cover water damage/escape. I don't want to make a claim yet but just want to understand the pros and cons, see if it's worth taking out a claim or should we just do it ourselves. We want to re-do the bathroom eventually so if the insurance can take care of some stuff (shower, tiles, walls, etc.) we might as well go for it. Or should we just get a plumper in to fix the drain and do the bathroom at a later date. What about the kitchen and hallway ceilings + floor?

I'd greatly appreciate any advice/pointers. I'm completely new at all of this.

Many thanks

baza52

so you knew the drain was faulty but carried on using the shower to the extent you flooded your house lol.
Cant see the insurance paying out.

Quentin

In future don't report anything to your insurer unless you are certain you will be following up with a claim.

This loss will now be recorded in your history and will have to be disclosed to other insurers in future you go to for quotes in answer to any questions regarding losses even though no claim is made

Blibble

May as well go ahead with the claim as the loss has already been reported.

FYI - poor workmanship isn't usually covered, nor is failed sealant; therefore if failed sealant or a faulty installation has caused the escape of water there may be no cover.

Do you have buildings and contents with the same provider, as the carpet would be contents but the tiles / ceiling etc. buildings? This may incur two excess fees, both of which would be for escape of water which often carries a higher excess.

FutureGirl

I think the only issue here would be that you knew the shower didn't drain properly and caused puddles to form, yet decided to continue using the shower and there is now more damage.

Your policy almost certainly won't cover you if the cause was gradual IE sealant / grouting has worn away, nor will it cover you for faulty workmanship / faulty design etc.

Get a quote for any damage - and bare in mind you will have an excess of at least £250 for any escape of water claim IF it is covered. Also note that the policy will more than likely only cover you for damaged items (depending on your policy) so if only some tiles are damaged, the insurer won't pay to replace ALL the tiles, but should offer 50% for undamaged tiles (as an example)

As you have already informed your insurer you have nothing to lose as the incident will be noted on your claims record for the next 3-5 years now, which you must disclose. Depending on who your insurer is, they may send someone round to view the damage and will then see the cause - other insurers will ask you to get someone out yourself to determine the cause before determining whether it's covered on your policy.

redabici

Hi guys,

Thank you. I didn't realise that they'll keep the record of my report even though I haven't made the claim. Noobs mistake. How will it affect my record? And would it make a difference if I make a claim or not?
My insurer confirmed that they'll cover it, but the excess is £350 for water escape which I don't know if it's worth it if we don't get the whole shower replaced and bathroom tiles as well.

Thank you kindly for your help so far

glentoran99

When you say the drain doesn't work properly does it just need cleaned? I need to do mine about once a month when we start swimming out of the shower


the insurer will repair damage, the bathroom tiles and a new shower wouldn't be included

redabici

@glen to be honest I don't know if it just need a clean. We just moved in so don't know the ins and outs of it, nor have had a chance to sort things out properly.

Do you know what exactly they often cover? I'm with Churchill. What if there's no substantial damage, then would you say it's not worth it? I'm getting a builder in to examine the situ.

glentoran99

Without reading your exact policy its hard to say, but its very unlikely they would run to a new shower etc, and if you cant actually see any damage then its unlikely to cost more than your excess to fix


If its any consolation before we moved in we has a big leak, well not so much a leak as a dripping tap with no sink under it... big pool of water downstairs and water dripping from light fightings there was no other damage apart from a stain on the ceiling but other than that everything dried out, its highly likely the drain just needs a clean out

Quentin

redabici wrote: »

Thank you. I didn't realise that they'll keep the record of my report even though I haven't made the claim. Noobs mistake. How will it affect my record? And would it make a difference if I make a claim or not?

Your record will have it recorded as a "loss" (assuming you don't proceed with a "claim")


You can find out what difference this is likely to make to future premiums by doing dummy quotes now online with this disclosed as a "loss" and then as a "claim"


Though some insurers simply ask about "claims/losses/incidents that could have resulted in a claim" in a catch all question.

redabici

@Glen Thank you it seems like we're in the same situ now. The kitchen was sizzling that evening but I left it for one more day and it's now working fine. There's a some stains on the ceilings, and a small puff of plaster if that makes sense. I'll hold my breathe for another couple of days but I think the worst is over.

@Quentin. Thank you very much! I don't think we'll go ahead with the claim, so will run some tests like you suggested.

Many thanks everyone x