Concrete panel falling away above window

Gettingeven

ProDave said:

That is very seriously dangerous in that state.

If that concrete panels falls out it would kill anyone it falls on.  That area in front of the window should be fenced off and if it fall the window would likely go, so I would not be using that room.

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Hi, yes, I contacted my home insurer via email yesterday.

Gettingeven

ProDave said:

That is very seriously dangerous in that state.

If that concrete panels falls out it would kill anyone it falls on.  That area in front of the window should be fenced off and if it fall the window would likely go, so I would not be using that room.

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

BikingBud said:

FENSA cert?

https://forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate

Household insurance with legal protection?

BikingBud said:

FENSA cert?

https://forms.fensa.org.uk/fensa-certificate

Household insurance with legal protection?

Hi, the windows were supplied and fitted by a  FENSA registered company. I have asked my insurer if I'm covered for legal protection/expenses should the company deny liability and refuse to rectify the situation. 

eddddy

Gettingeven said:

ProDave said:

That is very seriously dangerous in that state.

If that concrete panels falls out it would kill anyone it falls on.  That area in front of the window should be fenced off and if it fall the window would likely go, so I would not be using that room.

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Hi, yes, I contacted my home insurer via email yesterday.

TBH, that was probably a bad idea. It's best to check your policy to see if you're likely to be covered before contacting your insurer.

This won't be covered by your buildings insurance.

And your insurers might record this on the CUE database as an 'incident that may or may not have led to an insurance claim'.  The CUE database is shared by all the main insurers.

So your own insurer might increase your premium at renewal as a result of you reporting this 'incident' even if you make no claim, and you might need to declare it if you what to change insurers - resulting in increased premiums.

JJR45

user1977 said:

ProDave said:

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Though bear in mind that involving the insurer means (irrespective of whether they end up paying for it) they're likely to bump up your premium in future years for having made a claim.

I think in this case, the safety for pedestrians may outweigh the possible minor increase in premiums.

JJR45

GDB2222 said:

Your insurance company deals with specific perils, like fire, or storm. They don’t cover the building falling down because of dodgy window fitters. 

I think they may in this case, as there is a danger to people passing by (possible claim if it fell). But yes generally they do not, but likewise, they don't like claims against them either. If the window fitters are to blame they will just claim off them.

user1977

JJR45 said:

user1977 said:

ProDave said:

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Though bear in mind that involving the insurer means (irrespective of whether they end up paying for it) they're likely to bump up your premium in future years for having made a claim.

I think in this case, the safety for pedestrians may outweigh the possible minor increase in premiums.

Probably still quicker and cheaper to make your own arrangements for a temporary fix and/or protect the area below.

JJR45

user1977 said:

JJR45 said:

user1977 said:

ProDave said:

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Though bear in mind that involving the insurer means (irrespective of whether they end up paying for it) they're likely to bump up your premium in future years for having made a claim.

I think in this case, the safety for pedestrians may outweigh the possible minor increase in premiums.

Probably still quicker and cheaper to make your own arrangements for a temporary fix and/or protect the area below.

Only if they are able to in decent time. By the sounds of it, the OP isn't. (recent stomach surgery). Protecting the area underneath with some cones should be possible though.
At least contacting the insurance avoids any claims of negligence if anything did happen. 

eddddy

JJR45 said:

user1977 said:

ProDave said:

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Though bear in mind that involving the insurer means (irrespective of whether they end up paying for it) they're likely to bump up your premium in future years for having made a claim.

I think in this case, the safety for pedestrians may outweigh the possible minor increase in premiums.

But it's nothing to do with the insurers. They won't do anything (apart from potentially increase future premiums).

If it's a danger to people, it can be reported to the Council's Building Control department.

They'd cordon off the area, and if necessary, use their own emergency contractors to make the building safe. Then pass the bill to the building owner (i.e. the OP).

But the council's emergency contractors are likely to be very expensive. It would probably be cheaper if the OP could find their own contractor. 

ciderboy2009

eddddy said:

But it's nothing to do with the insurers.

It might be if the OP has got Legal Protection as part of their policy.

GDB2222

JJR45 said:

user1977 said:

JJR45 said:

user1977 said:

ProDave said:

Contact your house insurance and tell them it is an emergency. Let them deal with it and decide who is liable.

Though bear in mind that involving the insurer means (irrespective of whether they end up paying for it) they're likely to bump up your premium in future years for having made a claim.

I think in this case, the safety for pedestrians may outweigh the possible minor increase in premiums.

Probably still quicker and cheaper to make your own arrangements for a temporary fix and/or protect the area below.

Only if they are able to in decent time. By the sounds of it, the OP isn't. (recent stomach surgery). Protecting the area underneath with some cones should be possible though.
At least contacting the insurance avoids any claims of negligence if anything did happen. 

Quite the reverse, actually. The op goes on the record that he knows the situation is highly dangerous, but doesn’t do anything to fix it, apart from contacting his insurance company, which doesn’t generally fix things. 

His excuse is that he’s in no fit state to fix it himself. Fair enough, but if he’s well enough to call his insurance company he’s also well enough to call a builder to make this safe.

Really, a friend or family could put out a bin or two to keep people out of the danger area.