wedding dress ruined by dry cleaner/storage - what to claim for?

born_again

Sandtree said:

Quote Me Happy is Aviva's "internet only" proposition @born_again... unlike some others they are exceptionally strict that all sales and service queries have to be done online and the only telephone support is for claims. 

Was just a thought given the amount of outsourcing that is done these days. 👍

Grumpy_chap

Sandtree said:

Quote Me Happy is Aviva's "internet only" proposition @born_again... unlike some others they are exceptionally strict that all sales and service queries have to be done online and the only telephone support is for claims. 

But the OP does want to claim on the legal expenses cover...

sheramber

Legal services This cover will only apply if it is shown on your schedule. How to get assistance – Call us first to get help and advice on 0345 030 6902.

You need to check you schedule to see if you have legal cover

page 35 of your policy booklet

SGH33

Sandtree said:

born_again said:

SGH33 said:

I've emailed my insurance twice to ask as I do have legal cover, but have not had a response. 
Thankyou for all your help, it has really clarified things 😊

Don't email. Ring them. 👍

Or better yet, just look at your schedule and policybook which will 1) say if its an optional extra or standard and 2) say if you selected it if its an optional extra

Regards taking him to court myself, on completing the form online the court fee is comparative to how much is being claimed.  Am I right in thinking this is the only cost? 

SGH33

It's been a while but the story so far is I was advised by the dress manufacturer to send the dress to their dry cleaners, they would not clean it as they said the material was too fragile and advised an independent lab test.
This has prove that the dress discolouration is the result of over processing/drying from the dry cleaning.
I applied to the court and we both agreed mediation, but now the dry cleaner has withdrawn and it is going to be looked at by a judge, possibly a hearing.
The dry cleaner has seen the report so I am baffled as to why he wants it to go to court.
Could he think maybe I will not take it that far? 🤔 
Opinions welcome
Many thanks 😊 

tightauldgit

SGH33 said:

It's been a while but the story so far is I was advised by the dress manufacturer to send the dress to their dry cleaners, they would not clean it as they said the material was too fragile and advised an independent lab test.
This has prove that the dress discolouration is the result of over processing/drying from the dry cleaning.
I applied to the court and we both agreed mediation, but now the dry cleaner has withdrawn and it is going to be looked at by a judge, possibly a hearing.
The dry cleaner has seen the report so I am baffled as to why he wants it to go to court.
Could he think maybe I will not take it that far? 🤔 
Opinions welcome
Many thanks 😊 

Well we can only guess but it could be that he feels he can challenge the report and disprove its findings and win the case, or it may be that he thinks whatever you were asking for was unreasonable and a court will award a much lower settlement. Or he might be calling your bluff to see if you actually go to court. 

What is the amount you are claiming as your original posts seemed to have some pretty optimistic ideas about what you might recover. 

At the end of the day if he's damaged your dress then all he really has to do is compensate you for the loss of value of your dress. 

pinkshoes

What exactly have you claimed for?

If you're claiming the cost of the dry cleaning, a second hand wedding dress and a small amount of compensation for sentimental damage then I'm surprised they're taking it to court.

If you're claiming all the lost deposits when you cancelled your second due to the dress then I don't think you'll be successful in court. Especially if the shop were happy to pay the above.

SGH33

I am claiming £945, which is cost of a second hand dress minus what it's worth now (£0) plus the cost of the report £300 and postage of the dress. Not claiming for any deposits.
A stipulation of the mediation we agreed on was that a lower amount would be agreed on between us, but he withdrew.
I did think that maybe he thought I would not take it to court, but it is more a matter of principle now.  He should have taken responsibility for what he did, yet he is clearly still going to deny it even with scientific proof.
I had no other way of proving it other than having it independently tested.

Aylesbury_Duck

Principles can be expensive things to pursue.  The other party is either confident they're on good ground, or they're assuming you won't proceed.  One of you is going to be disappointed.  You'll just have to see how it plays out in court.

lincroft1710

I think the dry cleaner believes your total claim is unjustified rather than he believes you won't pursue the claim. After 18 months it seems rather obvious you will not withdraw.