Escape of water - kitchen leak

Maenie

I wonder if anyone can help?  Last night I discovered a leak under my kitchen sink.  It was 1am and the water was pouring out from the pipe under the sink.  Managed to turn the water off within half an hour of discovering the leak, however I'm not sure how long it may have been leaking before I discovered it. 

Emergency plumber (who was sent as part of my home insurance emergency cover) came out today and fixed the damage to the pipe. However, he mentioned that it may not be worth claiming anything for the damage.  The cabinet beneath the sink could definitely do with being replaced, however the plumber mentioned that would only be £60 or so, and given my escape of water excess, and the impact any claim would have on future premiums, he seemed to think it wouldn't be worth claiming.  The door of the cabinet with the leak, and the one next to it, have water damage on the inside of the doors - they have expanded along the bottom where they have got wet, but the damage isn't visible from the outside.  The plumber mentioned he didn't think they would be replaced by the insurer.  I have no idea how much water has ended up underneath the cabinets and dishwasher.

So now I'm wondering what I should do?  Could I get my insurer to come and assess the damage, and if they think the damage is minimal, choose not to progress with the claim, without impacting my premiums?  Or once I have got them to assess the claim, would I have to declare it, whether or not I proceed with the claim?  

Sandtree

As soon as you inform your insurer you will have a declarable claim even if they subsequently decline it for being less than the excess.

Can you not remove the kick board and/or dishwasher to see the extent of the water?

The other question will be if you have matching set cover or not on your insurance and if your kitchen units are still made etc. If only two cabinets are damaged then that is the limit of their liability even if your kitchen isnt made any more (assuming you dont have matching set) which can be problematic especially if worktops or splashbacks/tiles are an issue for removing/replacing the units.

Maenie

I haven't tried to remove the kickboard, but will give that a go to see if I can get underneath.  Unfortunately the dishwasher can't easily be pulled out - I think I'd need to remove at least 3 floor tiles in order to pull it out, if not more.

I do have matching set cover.  The kitchen was in the house when we bought it, however we got new doors when we moved in, so I know it is an IKEA kitchen, but the old Faktum style which has been discontinued - apparently the new IKEA Metod kitchen isn't compatible with the old Faktum units.

I used my insurance emergency cover for the plumber - I'm guessing that wouldn't count as a declarable claim as it isn't on building or contents cover, but separate cover?

Sandtree

Maenie said:

I haven't tried to remove the kickboard, but will give that a go to see if I can get underneath.  Unfortunately the dishwasher can't easily be pulled out - I think I'd need to remove at least 3 floor tiles in order to pull it out, if not more.

I do have matching set cover.  The kitchen was in the house when we bought it, however we got new doors when we moved in, so I know it is an IKEA kitchen, but the old Faktum style which has been discontinued - apparently the new IKEA Metod kitchen isn't compatible with the old Faktum units.

I used my insurance emergency cover for the plumber - I'm guessing that wouldn't count as a declarable claim as it isn't on building or contents cover, but separate cover?

Always depends on the insurer but normally Home Emergency and Legal Expenses are not considered claims when it comes to Home even if bought as a package. 

If you do have matching set cover (which most policies dont) then it may become more viable as a claim if you say exiting system isnt compatible with your units, tiles need removing which may result in needing retiling if those tiles aren't made/you dont have spares etc etc... unfortunately you never fully know until you get a trades person in to assess 

Maenie

Yes I definitely have matching sets cover, I checked my policy at 4am after mopping up the mess

I mentioned to the plumber that IKEA don't make the kitchen units anymore, and he seemed to think that the cabinet could be replaced with one bought anywhere. He said and that B&Q, Wickes, Howdens etc, all sell the standard size cabinets, and my existing doors could be fitted to them. My escape of water excess is at least £350, so even with labour and replacing some tiles, the job may come in below the excess if they only replace one cabinet and not the doors 

I've contacted a local insurance assessor to see if they can advise (although not sure they'll be interested in such a small claim, they may be able to suggest best course of action).