Is this an insurance claim?

kindlysoul17

Hi
Our bathroom which is in a rear single storey extension is letting in water, when we investigated further we found this 


Explains where it's coming from, 

Should we claim on building insurance or just get it mended. Waiting for the quote at the moment 

Thanks

koalakoala

I’m almost sure if plants are involved insurance doesn’t cover it

kindlysoul17

The plants are from a neighbouring garden, the photographs were taken from there as well.

Kindlysoul

Section62

kindlysoul17 said:

Hi
Our bathroom which is in a rear single storey extension is letting in water, when we investigated further we found this

Explains where it's coming from, 

Should we claim on building insurance or just get it mended. Waiting for the quote at the moment 

Thanks

What is it?

It looks like the remains of a wall built next to the extension wall. Is it on your property, or a neighbour's?

It also looks like there is a significant crack/movement in the (white painted) wall behind.

Judging by the quality of the brickwork, there's a good possibility this might have been a DIY job - possibly only a single brick thick, built up against an existing (old) wall.

Before going to the insurers I would want to find out what is going on there and get quotes for a repair, but depending on what exactly is there, also keep in mind the option of demolishing and rebuilding to a higher standard, with cavity walls, and proper dampproofing and insulation.

There's a risk of paying a lot of money for repairs which still leave you with a poor quality structure.

EssexExile

It looks like a badly built extension, I doubt insurance will be of any use.

neilmcl

Insurance isn't going to cover that.

Bendy_House

I suspect that's the case. It'll likely be deemed a lack of maintenance, and not a sudden unexpected cause.

canaldumidi

Also be very hesitant about even mentioning this to insurers unless/until you decide to actually make a claim.

Just ringing them to enquire will lead to a record on your file, and bump up future premiums even if you don't make a claim.

Bendy_House

Just looking at my own insurance to see if it covers a flattened fence in Friday's storm.

Happened to find this in the 'not covered' section: "Damage caused by rain or water entering the home as
a result of poor workmanship, bad design or wear and tear."

(Damn - just found 'storm damage to fences' a few steps down in the same section :-( No surprise, I guess...)

Bendy_House

canaldumidi said:

Also be very hesitant about even mentioning this to insurers unless/until you decide to actually make a claim.

Just ringing them to enquire will lead to a record on your file, and bump up future premiums even if you don't make a claim.

Really? Are you sure?

Sounds harsh. Actually, it sounds completely unfair, and surely challengeable.

canaldumidi

Bendy_House said:

canaldumidi said:

Also be very hesitant about even mentioning this to insurers unless/until you decide to actually make a claim.

Just ringing them to enquire will lead to a record on your file, and bump up future premiums even if you don't make a claim.

Really? Are you sure?

Sounds harsh. Actually, it sounds completely unfair, and surely challengeable.

Yes sure. Yes harsh. Yes unfair. Yes challengeable (everything is). Successfully challengeable? Almost certainly not.

There was a case on the forum recently of an investor who was declined insurance because of a note on the database relating to subsidence. No claim had been made. No ongoing subsidence (it was historic). But the poster had rung their insurance in the early stages of ownership for advice about a crack.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6314083/puchased-btl-property-insurance-company-highlighted-an-subsidence-issue/p1

and

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4410233/subsidence-claim-on-insurance-which-was-not-subsidence/p1