Bifold door damaged by wind....worth claiming on home insurance?

big_boss

I have a uPVC bifold door that opens into the garden. Due to gust of wind, it banged against the adjoining wall and is damaged. I called someone to take a look and he advised me to contact trade windows place to ask if they have the part for traffic door sash damage as he's not sure it can be repaired. I was thinking of changing to Aluminium bifold door. Can this be claimed on insurance, or at least part of it (like cost of uPVC bifold) so I can pay the difference to upgrade to aluminium? I'm with Halifax home insurance.

 

greyteam1959

I don't think you are going to get damage like that repaired.
Before you even ring your insurance company check what excess you have.
It may not be worth claiming for.

Aretnap

If it was a single gust of wind on a moderately blowy day, rather than an actual storm, it's unlikely to be covered under the storm damage section of your policy. It might be covered under the accidental damage section - but that's an optional extra on many home insurance policies. So check whether your policy covers accidental damage, and how it defines storm and accidental damage before you even think about calling them.

Don't call until you're reasonably sure that (a) it's covered and (b) you want to claim, unless you want them to log it as a potential claim which you would have to declare for the next few years and could increase your premiums even if you don't make an actual claim. 

paddyandstumpy

Insurers would only pay for the damaged item, which looks to be the door? And of course the refit of the one door. 

If you wanted to change to aluminium you'd need to pay for the other door, all the other infrastructure (like the surrounds etc) and the fitting of the whole set.