House Fire Insurance Claim

jv88

Hi,

My fathers house was involved in a fire last week and we are currently in discussion with the insurance about claiming for this. They have sent a letter listing several reasons why they are not willing to payout. Could anyone who has previously had experience with this type of claim offer any advice?

paddyandstumpy

What are their reasons?

jv88

The first reason was he didnt tick the box indicating that he had a ccj when signing up to the insurance online. The other reasons were that there was a lodger in the house and someone with a criminal conviction which he didnt notify the insurer of.

jv88

Some additional information. The lodger had been out of the country for a few weeks during the time of fire and the criminal conviction was spent.

paddyandstumpy

Ok, so a triple non disclosure. I assume they've voided cover?

If the insurer wouldn't have offered cover had all the facts been known, then they can avoid the policy and act like it's never been in force.

As well as a fire damaged house your father will also now have to disclose that he had a cancelled policy to his name too.

jv88

They have just sent a letter at this point stating why they dont think they should pay out. My father wasnt aware that he had to inform the insurer of the last two reasons. They asked him last week and he answered honestly.

paddyandstumpy

Look at the proposal form (or more likely statement of fact) from the last time cover was taken out or renewed.

What questions were asked about CCJ's, non-family members living in the property or convictions which are not spent?

jv88

I think he didnt tick the box at the time about CCJ but they asked him last week and he told them that he had a CCJ.

What i dont understand is why they dont do a background check for this at the time if it so important. In the same way they do a credit check. It seems like they do it deliberately as an excuses not pay out.

paddyandstumpy

Why should they need to check? They rely on full disclosure to questions when asked.

jv88

People make mistakes, its not like there was some advantage to him not disclosing this. He was honest when asked. The circumstances changed whilst we were living in the house.

dacouch

What was the cause of the fire?

How long has the lodger lived there?