Brand new uninstalled boiler- Contents or building insurance?

Daniel1231

I was having a new boiler installed when a fire started due to the wrong gas tap being turned off (separate issue!). I needed to buy another new boiler as the one being installed was damaged beyond repair because of the fire. I called my contents insurance who said at first that they think I’m not covered through contents as it is considered part of the building, but I explained the boiler wasn’t installed yet so to me it’s more of a content... they then said my kitchen worktops wouldn’t be covered as their definition of «!contents!» is anything that would fall out of the building if it was turned upside down. I explained that my boiler would fall out in that case but they’ve referred it to their «!specialist!» team...
Is anyone able to help on what classes s a content?!

maxcy

Daniel1231 wrote: »

I was having a new boiler installed when a fire started due to the wrong gas tap being turned off (separate issue!). I needed to buy another new boiler as the one being installed was damaged beyond repair because of the fire. I called my contents insurance who said at first that they think I’m not covered through contents as it is considered part of the building, but I explained the boiler wasn’t installed yet so to me it’s more of a content... they then said my kitchen worktops wouldn’t be covered as their definition of «!contents!» is anything that would fall out of the building if it was turned upside down. I explained that my boiler would fall out in that case but they’ve referred it to their «!specialist!» team...
Is anyone able to help on what classes s a content?!

Sounds like the insurance of the incompetent, but hopefully Gas Safe registered engineer used to install this gas boiler, should be covering this

Daniel1231

He seems to think it’s my fault for telling him the wrong gas meter to turn off, so I’m stuck with how to claim this back! I thought insurance was my best bet which was why I’ve tried this.

maxcy

Daniel1231 wrote: »

He seems to think it’s my fault for telling him the wrong gas meter to turn off, so I’m stuck with how to claim this back! I thought insurance was my best bet which was why I’ve tried this.

I seem to think it's his fault, so tell him or just go direct to his insurer, and make your claim.
Don't let him fob you off with his denial of liability. That is probably just a condition of his insureance. i.e. not to admit any liability.

Zorillo

Was the boiler yours or was it supplied by him as part of the job?

Daniel1231

It was supplied by him. Will that change something?
Yeah you’re probably right I might need to try and get him to claim.

lisyloo

Have you paid him for the boiler?

If not what’s the issue?

Brodiebobs

If a tradesman caused the fire it will be his policy that needs to pick it up... if you have told your insurer of the circumstances they may recoup their costs from him direct.

lisyloo

Daniel1231 wrote: »

He seems to think it’s my fault for telling him the wrong gas meter to turn off, so I’m stuck with how to claim this back! I thought insurance was my best bet which was why I’ve tried this.

He is liable if he relied on your non professional information rather than doing his own due diligence.

eddddy

Daniel1231 wrote: »

He seems to think it’s my fault for telling him the wrong gas meter to turn off...

A gas engineer who doesn't check that he's turned off the right gas supply is lucky to still be alive.

Daniel1231 wrote: »

It was supplied by him. Will that change something?
Yeah you’re probably right I might need to try and get him to claim.

Strictly speaking, you don't have to get him to claim on his insurance. It was his boiler and his negligence, it's up to him how he covers the cost. You just refuse to pay him for the damaged boiler.

Unfortunately, I guess there's always the risk that he'll get into a strop and walk off the job. But there's not much you can about that.

Weighty1

eddddy wrote: »

A gas engineer who doesn't check that he's turned off the right gas supply is lucky to still be alive.



Strictly speaking, you don't have to get him to claim on his insurance. It was his boiler and his negligence, it's up to him how he covers the cost. You just refuse to pay him for the damaged boiler.

Unfortunately, I guess there's always the risk that he'll get into a strop and walk off the job. But there's not much you can about that.

I think them walking off the job would be a godsend! What gas engineer in their right mind wouldn't check they were turning off the right tap!!!