Axa Asbestos and Contents

Breezecomm

I have recently discovered asbestos in my home. Most of it is well maintained and some isnt.

My insurance policy doesnt specifically state that asbestos is not covered however the insurance company are unwilling to contribute anything towards removal or contaminated furniture.

My policy is a axa home safe.

Ive raised a complaint but I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience of asbestos and insurance.

dacouch

The removal is not covered by home insurance costs.

The cost of removal is down to the householder as a normal cost of maintaining your home

Breezecomm

Is the above correct and who makes the call?

Robin9

As the householder the call is yours - what is your concern ?

Asbestos was used in many forms up till the 1990's - it's in artex, floor tiles, kitchen sinks. Left alone its no problem and no health risk.

Aretnap

Yes it's correct. Home insurance policies are usually defined in terms of the things they do cover, not the things they don't cover. So if there is no mention of asbestos removal it means that asbestos removal isn't covered.

Or looked at another way, your policy will have several sections - fire, storm damage, accidental damage etc etc. Which section do you think asbestos removal ought to be covered under?

As a general rule insurance covers unexpected events which cause damage to your home. It doesn't cover ongoing maintenance or the fact that your home was defective in the first place. Similarly if you bought a house with knackered 1930s electrics you couldn't claim on your insurance for the cost of rewiring.

Did you get a proper survey done when you bought the house and did the survey warn you of the asbestos? If not you might have a claim against the surveyor.

Breezecomm

Had the asbestos removed, and re-plastered

Thanks everyone

Cb11

How much did it cost you to have this done?