Who is liable for damage to contents during roofing work?

nigem

I have a small roofing company re felting an area of my roof. The area around the chimney had leaked in the past and had a small repair job, by a different company. A general builder recently said that I should seal fully around the chimney and replace an area of flat roof at the very top of the house. 
The roofers started the job on Thursday, said it was watertight and planned to come to finish off on Friday. The weather was not good Fri, and he hoped to come Sat, but we had heavy snow overnight and now rain. The roof has leaked in that area as seen in the attic, and gone down the wall and through the bedroom ceiling, in 2 areas. It has soaked the wall, ceiling, twin beds and a carpet.
He has public liability insurance, but I assume it wont cover contents. 
Will my house and buildings insurance cover this? Or do I claim from the roofer for not ensuring it was left watertight

user1977

I'm not sure why you'd assume that his insurance wouldn't cover all sorts of loss caused to clients' properties, but in any event whether or not he has insurance is his problem - you just make the claim against him and let him decide whether his insurers ought to be involved.

mexican_dave

Public Liability insurance is not like Home Insurance which provide different levels of cover eg buildings, contents, both. Your roofers insurance is to cover his own failures to protect others people's safety etc. As @user1977 says, make the claim let his insurers decide.

nigem

Are you suggesting that I claim on my buildings/contents insurance and they claim from him? Or I give the roofer a list of items and remedial works to the ceiling and wall?mexican_dave said:

Public Liability insurance is not like Home Insurance which provide different levels of cover eg buildings, contents, both. Your roofers insurance is to cover his own failures to protect others people's safety etc. As @user1977 says, make the claim let his insurers decide.

TSx

Your contents/buildings insurance is likely to exclude damage due to faulty workmanship. The builders public liability insurance should cover the repairs but for the contents items they will be not be covered new for old, but on an indemnity basis (so a deduction for wear and tear is taken from the items to reflect their current value).

user1977

Though if your insurance includes legal protection, that might help you with claiming from the roofer should that become necessary.

mexican_dave

To make this slightly complicated advice simple, we are telling you to write a letter/email to your roofer complaining about damage to your property and contents for the amount of £ (insert number here). Let the roofer decide to either pay it out of his pocket or refer it to his own Public Liability insurer.
Obviously you will get some "resistance", but one step at a time.

nigem

Thanks for you help. He has said he will get it all sorted for me. But at least I know exactly what I will need to do if it doesnt work out. And I do have legal assistance if necessary