Are we covered for this?

angelfire

Hi, my son has had an accident and slipped in the shower breaking and knocking off several rows of tiles by the shower and cracking the sink. The bathroom is over the kitchen and unbeknown to us, water has leaked down into the kitchen, into the cupboards causing damp and also we assume into the ceiling as now our lights have tripped and when we push the trip switch, it’s sparked and blown completely.
I’ve just rooted out our insurance paperwork and we have buildings and contents but no accidental damage cover on the buildings side - are we likely to be covered for this? I’m sure that tiling, sink, ceilings and cupboards are classed as buildings rather than contents (which we DO have accidental cover for)

Any help appreciated!

Chickenlips

More information is required.

How long was there between your son damaging the tiles and the damage in the kitchen?

angelfire

We were away so I’m thinking maybe a few days for the mould and cupboard damage but a few weeks for the electrics

angelfire

To be honest, my query is more about whether we are actually covered given that we have no accidental damage cover on the policy on the buildings side

elle_may

A insurer once told me,if you tip your house upside down and things fall out that is covered by contents. Every thing fixed is buildings.

Brodiebobs

Depends how they classify the damage, if they class it as an escape of water it potentially is covered.

However given the details i think they would class this as accidental damage.

Probably best to speak to them or look at your wording as even if additional accidental damage section is not included, sometimes the buildings wording automatically includes accidental damage to sanitary wear and glass.

lisyloo

My interpretation is you are saying that the cause of the damage downstairs is the accident upstairs.
I am not an expert but as the cause was (probably) accidental and you don’t have accident damage cover then I’d say you are are not covered.

If the cause of the leak is coincidental with the damage upstairs and not related then you would be covered so you’d need to confirm the cause.
Have you done anything to confirm the source of the leak?

angelfire

Brodiebobs wrote: »

Depends how they classify the damage, if they class it as an escape of water it potentially is covered.

However given the details i think they would class this as accidental damage.

Probably best to speak to them or look at your wording as even if additional accidental damage section is not included, sometimes the buildings wording automatically includes accidental damage to sanitary wear and glass.

I see, I’ll dig out the policy and read it thoroughly the .
I mean there’s no proof that the two issues are linked, given the time in between and the fact that we have spotlights all over the kitchen and the bulb that popped first is the opposite side of the room to the leak!

Brodiebobs

!!!!!!!!! wrote: »

I see, I’ll dig out the policy and read it thoroughly the .
I mean there’s no proof that the two issues are linked, given the time in between and the fact that we have spotlights all over the kitchen and the bulb that popped first is the opposite side of the room to the leak!

Then it would need to be established where the water is coming from first, then it can be attributed to a cause, then the insurers will advise whether covered. Maybe an idea to get a professional in first to establish.

Chickenlips

Chances are you're not covered.

1) The initial incident is accidental damage. You don't have cover for this.

2) You didn't carry out a repair nor did anyone stop using the shower whilst the tiles were damaged.

3) Your insurer would have to be very generous to consider the second incident an escape of water.

4) Even if you had accidental damage cover for buildings, it is inevitable that no tiles on the wall = water damage. Inevitable damage is not accidental.

Instead of asking strangers on the internet who have no idea about your policy... read your policy first. This sets about the key terms and conditions. They vary for each insurer.

When you've done this, come back if you have specific question relating to th wording and the incident. Then we ny be able to advise. I know I'm not the only loss adjuster on here so if you can give specifics you should be able to get some good advice.

Most policies stipulate an escape of water as coming from a fixed plumbing installation or pipe.

You'd be hard pressed to suggest that the two incidents are concurrent with no break in the chain of events. For the damage you've described, I'd assume that the shower was used even after the damage occurred. Insurers may argue that the water damage is due to lack of reasonable care and refuse to pay it. If you took mitigating measures (I.e temporary tile repairs, or using a different bathroom if you have a second one) you may have a stronger case. Don't be tempted to make the claim look better than it is (as many are often tempted) a lot of insurers know what they are looking at and can spot dodgy looking information fairly quickly... itll cause more problems than it solves.

If you haven't already... take loads of photos and then repair the wall... it will need to dry first. Leaving damage to get worse because you want to show your insurer or are wisting for a decision is a poor excuse not to do something. Deciding if you should claim isn't a valid excuse to knowingly let damage occur (and additional damage beyond day one if often declined unless valid reasons exist as to why it wasn't dealt with I.e. repairs were £20k so couldn't be done straight away and there was no reasonable way to achievea temporary repair to reduce additional damage). I often tell people to act as though they don't have cover and assume they'll be paying the bill, because if insurance didn't exist they would be doing what they can to reduce damage and repair as soon as possible to prevent costs from mounting. As smartphones exist, getting many photos that show what happened to the bathroom should not be difficult. Too many is much better than not enough. Of course, in getting repairs, done settle for a ridiculously expensive quotation or inappropriate costs, again... act as though you'd be paying. If this is covered and your insurer said no because your did the repairs required to stop further damage, the FOS are likely to make them pay as preventing secondary damage is both reasonable and a condition of your policy.

Finally, it is down to you to prove the incidents are linked and that you have a valid claim. The insurer only has to prove the existence of something that would lead to cover being excluded, in the event that you can prove you have a valid claim. If you can't prove you have a valid claim... they don't need to prove it isn't covered. You'll need to prove that the two causes are linked with no separate intervening factors.