lounge ceiling half caved in

mi-key

I think really its so they can ascertain what sort of risk you are. Even if you don't make a claim, if you have a lot of accidental damage then they will consider that you could make a claim in the future for something. It's daft really as someone could never have a problem, then make a claim for something huge that happens. I'm sure it's not just so they can hike up our premiums for no reason....

Gavin83

benson1980 said:

CSI_Yorkshire said:

benson1980 said:

mi-key said:

benson1980 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

barnaclebill said:

Update, called the insurance company, didnt get a no but they want a report as to why the ceiling fell down, dont think the plasterers who are coming to give me quotes can do that so I think it needs a surveyor but what kind, a basic house surveyor?

Remember that now you have informed your insurers you will need to declare the incident for the next 5 years when you get quotes each year even if you decide not to proceed with the claim or they decline it. 

I don't understand why you'd need to declare something like this, just on the basis of seeking advice regarding a potential claim?

Technically you do, although I bet most people don't if they don't go ahead with the claim. 

To get a quote you are normally asked to simply declare claims or losses are you not. I’m still not following why anyone would have to declare it? 

Are you sure that's the question?

For car insurance, for example, they often ask about any accidents or claims, and accidents where you didn't claim are included in this.

I guess you could get properly into the weeds with car insurance and what would constitute an accident, and declare loads of stuff. Never really given it much thought…until now.

I've asked this question a few times on here from those that say you should always inform your insurance company. What does constitute an accident?

I also suspect a lot of people who suggest you should inform your insurance company wouldn't for the minor stuff.

DullGreyGuy

benson1980 said:

mi-key said:

benson1980 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

barnaclebill said:

Update, called the insurance company, didnt get a no but they want a report as to why the ceiling fell down, dont think the plasterers who are coming to give me quotes can do that so I think it needs a surveyor but what kind, a basic house surveyor?

Remember that now you have informed your insurers you will need to declare the incident for the next 5 years when you get quotes each year even if you decide not to proceed with the claim or they decline it. 

I don't understand why you'd need to declare something like this, just on the basis of seeking advice regarding a potential claim?

Technically you do, although I bet most people don't if they don't go ahead with the claim. 

To get a quote you are normally asked to simply declare claims or losses are you not. I’m still not following why anyone would have to declare it? 

The question, with help text from Confused.com is:

Have you or anyone living at the property made any home insurance claims or suffered any losses in the last 5 years?

You must include any incidents that resulted in items being stolen, injury to other people or damage to property. You should include incidents even if you didn’t make a claim, and regardless of if you were paid for a claim. Examples that we need to know about are burglary, vandalism, fire, water or storm damage and any claim made.

You've had an incident that has caused damage to property (your ceiling) and therefore its declarable when asked questions like the above. Obviously most people dont bother however most insurers will register incidents like this when you call for "advice" and so if you were to not declare it you run the risk of an insurer checking CUE, finding the previous incident logged and the lack of your declaration of it on your quote. If they feel this is intentional or reckless they'd be entitled to void your policy and keep the premiums

barnaclebill

If its an accident say in my case it had been caused by a water leak I would be covered but as I can't prove it was vibration from jack hammers ouside without an expensive survey that may not say it was the cause I am not proceeding so in my case it was not an accident according to the insurance company just wear and tear.

benson1980

DullGreyGuy said:

benson1980 said:

mi-key said:

benson1980 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

barnaclebill said:

Update, called the insurance company, didnt get a no but they want a report as to why the ceiling fell down, dont think the plasterers who are coming to give me quotes can do that so I think it needs a surveyor but what kind, a basic house surveyor?

Remember that now you have informed your insurers you will need to declare the incident for the next 5 years when you get quotes each year even if you decide not to proceed with the claim or they decline it. 

I don't understand why you'd need to declare something like this, just on the basis of seeking advice regarding a potential claim?

Technically you do, although I bet most people don't if they don't go ahead with the claim. 

To get a quote you are normally asked to simply declare claims or losses are you not. I’m still not following why anyone would have to declare it? 

The question, with help text from Confused.com is:

Have you or anyone living at the property made any home insurance claims or suffered any losses in the last 5 years?

You must include any incidents that resulted in items being stolen, injury to other people or damage to property. You should include incidents even if you didn’t make a claim, and regardless of if you were paid for a claim. Examples that we need to know about are burglary, vandalism, fire, water or storm damage and any claim made.

You've had an incident that has caused damage to property (your ceiling) and therefore its declarable when asked questions like the above. Obviously most people dont bother however most insurers will register incidents like this when you call for "advice" and so if you were to not declare it you run the risk of an insurer checking CUE, finding the previous incident logged and the lack of your declaration of it on your quote. If they feel this is intentional or reckless they'd be entitled to void your policy and keep the premiums

Under that 'rule' you'd be declaring all wear and tear to your property potentially. I really don't think something like this is declarable and they give examples of what sort of thing you do need to tell them about.

DullGreyGuy

benson1980 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

benson1980 said:

mi-key said:

benson1980 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

barnaclebill said:

Update, called the insurance company, didnt get a no but they want a report as to why the ceiling fell down, dont think the plasterers who are coming to give me quotes can do that so I think it needs a surveyor but what kind, a basic house surveyor?

Remember that now you have informed your insurers you will need to declare the incident for the next 5 years when you get quotes each year even if you decide not to proceed with the claim or they decline it. 

I don't understand why you'd need to declare something like this, just on the basis of seeking advice regarding a potential claim?

Technically you do, although I bet most people don't if they don't go ahead with the claim. 

To get a quote you are normally asked to simply declare claims or losses are you not. I’m still not following why anyone would have to declare it? 

The question, with help text from Confused.com is:

Have you or anyone living at the property made any home insurance claims or suffered any losses in the last 5 years?

You must include any incidents that resulted in items being stolen, injury to other people or damage to property. You should include incidents even if you didn’t make a claim, and regardless of if you were paid for a claim. Examples that we need to know about are burglary, vandalism, fire, water or storm damage and any claim made.

You've had an incident that has caused damage to property (your ceiling) and therefore its declarable when asked questions like the above. Obviously most people dont bother however most insurers will register incidents like this when you call for "advice" and so if you were to not declare it you run the risk of an insurer checking CUE, finding the previous incident logged and the lack of your declaration of it on your quote. If they feel this is intentional or reckless they'd be entitled to void your policy and keep the premiums

Under that 'rule' you'd be declaring all wear and tear to your property potentially. I really don't think something like this is declarable and they give examples of what sort of thing you do need to tell them about.

Its not a "rule" its a question, what the "rule" is, or actually in this case the law, is that you must take reasonable care to answer all questions honestly, accurately and completely. The same law goes on to say if the consumer intentionally or recklessly doesnt do this then the insurer has the right to void the policy, avoid any claims and keep the premiums. 

I am not sure most wear & tear would be considered an "incident" but I do agree that I dislike the incident question in relation to Home insurance because in principle you should declare a dropped plate or a spot of red wine dripped onto your cream sofa. I've not explicitly searched the FOS db to see how they have interpreted cases in the past but it does feel like a common sense approach of if someone would attempt to claim (thats difficult though as people do make claims for £150 etc). 

Personally, a ceiling falling down is certainly above that threashold to me and the fact the OP called their insurers to see if its covered clearly indicates that to them it was something they'd consider claiming.