Neighbours claim needs investigating, can i hire an independent surveyor?

LP_93

My neighbour is currently awaiting a survey of my property to make a claim for (as yet unknown to me) damages that may be caused by a fault my side. The surveyor has been commissioned by my neighbours insurer, who has told me to have my insurer talk to them to arrange the visit to my property. Is this standard practice? Also, could i get an independent survey, and have any remedying work done without going through my insurer, or affecting the neighbours claim for any losses?

Sandtree

What is the allegations?

theoretica

It seems premature to want your own surveyor?  You would only want your own if their surveyor finds something and you think you could dispute it?

TELLIT01

If you have legal protection on your home policy just contact your insurer and let them handle it.  That's what the cover is there for.

LP_93

theoretica said:

It seems premature to want your own surveyor?  You would only want your own if their surveyor finds something and you think you could dispute it?

Not the case. It's been with the insurers for weeks. I just wanted to get the ball rolling somehow, and if indeed it is my property at fault, try and get something done before any more damage is. I've lost too much sleep to prolong it anymore.

davidmcn

You can deal with it yourself if you like, but may be precluding any cover from your insurers - normally they'd insist on handling the claim. 

eddddy

LP_93 said:

theoretica said:

It seems premature to want your own surveyor?  You would only want your own if their surveyor finds something and you think you could dispute it?

Not the case. It's been with the insurers for weeks. I just wanted to get the ball rolling somehow, and if indeed it is my property at fault, try and get something done before any more damage is. I've lost too much sleep to prolong it anymore.

It would help a lot if you explained what the problem is.

You won't be liable for any damage to your neighbour's property unless you have been negligent in some way - i.e. you haven't done what a 'reasonable' person would do.

Typically, you would wait for the neighbour's surveyor to tell you what they want you to do. If you agree with the neighbour's surveyor, you would then get on and do it. If you disagree, you might hire your own surveyor to advise you and challenge the neighbour's surveyor.

But it really depends on the precise details.