Building insurance - claim procedure

sawitar

Hello,
This is my first post on this forum although I have been reading MSE for quite some time now.


Few months back there was a fire in apartment above mine. Fortunately nobody was hurt.

Unfortunately my apartment, the one above mine, attic and roof were severely damaged and need to be rebuild. I guesstimate this to be 100k project.


We already have temporary accommodation paid by insurance company. But we want to progress with building refurbishment.


We have found Chartered Surveyor that would agree to prepare specification for required work and possibly carry the works. Unfortunately he wants us to sign contract that states that myself and other leaseholder are liable for his fees (freeholder has already refused to sign anything that would potentially hold him responsible for paying any fees). We are reluctant as we have no guarantee that insurance company will actually pay or refund those fees (although we had no issues claiming expenses so far).


Does anybody know if this is common practice?


I would much more prefer for surveyor and insurance company to sign contract between themselves. Is this even possible?

Zorillo

Why is the insurance company not handling the rebuilding?

sawitar

Very good question. Should they be organizing everything?

I have no experience with building claims whatsoever.



btw. Insurance company has already hired contractor to erect temporary roof.

Satansallsmiles

They should be dealing with everything, yes - Direct anything requiring signing to them rather than dealing with it yourself. They are there to represent you in this process. Anything you do yourself could jeopardise your position regarding the claim.

eddddy

I think I'd disagree with some of the comments.

A surveyor or loss adjuster will be working in their client's best interests. So if the insurance company instructs them, they will be looking after the insurers interests - not the policyholders.

So the policyholder might want to instruct their own surveyor, to look after their interests.

Buildings insurance policies usually include cover for surveyors / professional fees. But this company suggest that you sometimes have to push the insurance company quite hard to get them to acknowledge this: http://www.tangiblebuilding.co.uk/know-your-rights-about-appointing-a-surveyor.htm


(The link is to a company advertising their services, so it's likely to be one-sided. I don't know the company, and I'm not recommending them)