building repair work stopped on lockdown but insurance for alternative accommodation expires soon

littlerock

Our house suffered extensive damage to roof and  party wall when next door house burnt down last July . Both houses are  currently uninhabitable. Our party wall cannot be repaired until next door rebuilt as next door is  not currently watertight . We are living in rented accommodation,  covered by our insurance policy waiting on next door repairs to get under way. Their builder was supposed to start repairs in  mid January but eventually started  in mid March and did one week on site before coronavirus  lockdown. Not resumed.They have told next door insurer they  do not plan to resume work until lockdown is over. All their staff are currently furloughed. This means my work cannot proceed? I have fixed amount set out  in my insurance policy for Alternative Accommodation. This is going to expire in September. My insurer will not extend it or increase it. The builder next door will not return until lockdown ends and he considers it safe to do so which he does not at present.. We cannot afford to stay in alternative  accommodation out of our own pocket and owner not prepared to offer rent reduction. So we look like being made homeless in September. What do you suggest we do? 

sharpe106

Why you not claiming of your neighbours insurance as the damage was done by them.

Thrugelmir

Perhaps work will now restart given this weeks developments. 

paye

surely if it was your neighbours fault then you should be claiming on their policy not yours.

Chickenlips

See the responses on your other thread regarding this subject. Unless you have the only policy in the UK with a proviso stating  your alternative accommodation allowance will be increased in the event of coronavirus, you are totally at the whim of your Insurers good graces. The FOS are unlikely to be able to help, as they cannot force an insurer to pay beyond the policy term (your Insurer will argue your premium is based upon the cover offered not the cover wanted). 

I often warn my policyholders that get choosy about houses or are spending weeks in a hotel that if unforseen issues occur, they could end up responsible for a portion or more of the costs if the claim goes over their limit (such as £20.000). 

You may need to start considering a back up plan for in two months. I'd look at what work is left and decide if you can manage. A building site is better than the streets I'd assume. 

If you fund your own accommodation and then the recovery against next door is successful you can add your costs to the pot of money to reclaim (but it won't be paid back any sooner, and if your insurers fund it they can't reclaim it as it is outside of the contract, which is why they may likely say no to going over the limits). 

No amount of threads on here can change the terms of your policy or advices of those working hard through all of this to help you. 

[Deleted User]

You need to take legal action against your neighbours to recover any additional costs that you have incurred, they caused the damage to your property, they are liable for damage and costs arising from that. 

sharpe106

Not even sure why your insurer did not tell you claim of your neighbours insurer when you claimed.