house insurance help

Fredd_777

I recently contacted my house insurance to advise them that my neighbour has built an extension and I believe this may have damaged my extension as I have experienced internal cracks where my extension joins onto the main building. I believe this may have been caused by the vibrations and others works my neighbour has been doing. I wanted my house insurance to send someone out to investigate to advise on the works needing done etc. I have buildings and contents cover and my insurance company advised me, from my description of events it sounds like accidental damage by my neighbour and I do not have accidental damage and advise me to speak to the legal team as I have legal cover.

I feel that accidental damage is more related to something I do (for example putting a nail in the wall which bursts a pipe etc) and not something my neighbour does. I would f expected my insurance to come out do the necessary work and chase either my neighbour's insurance or his contractors for payment.

Can you help as I feel I am getting no where?

FlameCloud

Your policy will probably be 'perils' based rather than all risks. Your policy wording will contain a list of things you are covered for - like fire, theft, earthquake, subsidence etc.

If you lack AD cover it would be down to you to prove one of these has caused damage to your property in order for a claim to be made - have a read of it and think what it could come under.

Insurers have no right to pay a claim on their own policy that isn't covered as an ex gratia to keep their own insured happy and then pursue the third party - they can only pursue contractual losses as a subrogation.

You have the option of pursuing the third party directly if your own policy doesn't cover the damage, although you would need to evidence it.

rs65

Buildings insurance covers certain things like fire, flood etc

Have a look at your policy and see what cover applies for this.

Reardoa

If you don't have the relevant cover under your own policy or you aren't getting any joy through your own insurers you can and should claim through your neighbours insurance where the third party property damage section should cover the damage caused to your property. In that circumstance you wont have an excess to pay either.

FlameCloud

Reardoa wrote: »

If you don't have the relevant cover under your own policy or you aren't getting any joy through your own insurers you can and should claim through your neighbours insurance where the third party property damage section should cover the damage caused to your property. In that circumstance you wont have an excess to pay either.

....if you can prove negligence or other breach of tort against them.