Too many claims

fluffymuffy

We've had a lot of bad luck and had two major insurance claims in the last 10  years - a tree fell on our house, and [something else happened which I won't describe as I prefer to be anonymous and it's a bit specific] - and our insurance went up to nearly £1000, which we paid. Even though those risks are now gone and these things cannot happen again.

Since then (this year) a car has crashed into our house, and we paid £500 excess for our insurer to sort out the rebuilding (which is still ongoing and will cost about £50K) and I understand that they will claim this back off the driver, who is being co-operative and agrees it's all their fault. I'm just hoping to get my £500 refunded. 

I was worried that this new claim would increase our premiums, even though we are at no fault for a car crashing into us.

But then this big storm happened on Friday night, and part of our roof was lifted and has settled into an odd shape. I thought that perhaps we shouldn't claim on the insurance and try to get a roofer ourselves, but all the ones we've tried are booked up till next summer, and I know the insurer would be able to organise something much quicker. And I was just trying to decide if it was worth waiting or not when it started raining, and then water started pouring through the light. So it looks like we'd better phone the insurers (again).

The leaking roof is on a single storey part of the house and our things are not going to be damaged - I've put a bucket there. The electrics are not at risk either as the light is not part of a ring main and I've sellotaped the light switch in the off position. 

Is this going to send my premiums through the roof? Should I carry on trying to find a roofer and not claim on the insurance?

fluffymuffy

Just to add that I don't know how much more of this I can take. Just when we start to get on our feet something else happens. 

[Deleted User]

That's really bad luck, I can see how it would be frustrating.

You can recover your increase in premiums from the driver, but the problem is now you have another claim it will be hard to separate how much of it is their fault.

[Deleted User]

Thinking about this, it might be worth getting a quote from a roofer, then at least you know where you stand.

You might be surprised how little it affects your premiums, stuff like storms are one off events and after the repair it shouldn't happen again. Obviously climate change is going to make storms more common but from an insurance point of view I don't think they are too bad.

Remember to shop around too, you can often avoid the bulk of the increase that way.

Sandtree

[Deleted User] said:

You can recover your increase in premiums from the driver, but the problem is now you have another claim it will be hard to separate how much of it is their fault.

Its a long shot at the best of times but the OP will have a non-fault claim and a "fault" claim in the same policy year so will have no idea at year end what part of the uplift is due to the non-fault claim and thats before you try and project it forward for 3-5 years with diminishing impact. 

fluffymuffy

Thanks for your replies.

We found a roofer to fix it for a reasonable sum and so won't be claiming on the insurance, especially as it will be easier to see any uplift in premium due to the car crash. 

csgohan4

I would consider getting some bollards outside your house to reduce care vs House incidents, we have a few before we bought our place. 

[Deleted User]

Sandtree said:

[Deleted User] said:

You can recover your increase in premiums from the driver, but the problem is now you have another claim it will be hard to separate how much of it is their fault.

Its a long shot at the best of times but the OP will have a non-fault claim and a "fault" claim in the same policy year so will have no idea at year end what part of the uplift is due to the non-fault claim and thats before you try and project it forward for 3-5 years with diminishing impact. 

That's what I said.

[Deleted User]

csgohan4 said:

I would consider getting some bollards outside your house to reduce care vs House incidents, we have a few before we bought our place. 

Might be worth asking the council about that. Clearly it's a dangerous road that could do with some additional street furniture.

mattyprice4004

[Deleted User] said:

Sandtree said:

[Deleted User] said:

You can recover your increase in premiums from the driver, but the problem is now you have another claim it will be hard to separate how much of it is their fault.

Its a long shot at the best of times but the OP will have a non-fault claim and a "fault" claim in the same policy year so will have no idea at year end what part of the uplift is due to the non-fault claim and thats before you try and project it forward for 3-5 years with diminishing impact. 

That's what I said.

No it's not, they went into useful levels of detail. 

[Deleted User]

mattyprice4004 said:

[Deleted User] said:

Sandtree said:

[Deleted User] said:

You can recover your increase in premiums from the driver, but the problem is now you have another claim it will be hard to separate how much of it is their fault.

Its a long shot at the best of times but the OP will have a non-fault claim and a "fault" claim in the same policy year so will have no idea at year end what part of the uplift is due to the non-fault claim and thats before you try and project it forward for 3-5 years with diminishing impact. 

That's what I said.

No it's not, they went into useful levels of detail. 

Yes it is.