worried sick , cracks in house

Annemos

DullGreyGuy also wrote this recently to another Poster who was dropped while a Subsidence Claim is ongoing....

There is the ABI code of practice which for members means that if they continue to write business they should continue to offer terms or assist you in finding terms elsewhere if they are ceasing to write the product. Complaints to the Ombudsman can result in them taking a similar line even with non-members of the ABI. 

To get to the Ombudsman you'd first have to register a complaint with your provider and escalate if you are unhappy with their response or no response is received within 8 weeks.

Annemos

https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-3897491.pdf

This is another case. It has a lot of information about how the Ombudsman views ongoing cover. 



Here is something else you might ask RSA.  As far as I know, Nationwide is still offering RSA policies up until the end of the year.  As you talk to them about their obligations according to those cases. Also ask RSA if they can set a policy renewal up for you through Nationwide? 

Don't call Nationwide yourself. Ask RSA if they can do it as a solution for you for this next renewal. That will satisfy their obligation as a Member of the Association of British Insurers to offer you Insurance cover whilst your Subsidence Claim is being investigated. 


Here is Nationwide website.....

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/insurance/home-insurance/

Annemos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80891152#Comment_80891152?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=rsa+subsidence+claim

This Poster also had your problem back in July with MoreThan. The Poster did not update, so I don't know how it was resolved. Admiral offered a policy eventually but it was so expensive.

And I recommended that he use that case where it mentions that RSA should be arranging a Policy on Reasonable Terms. 

78daniel

good news :- (re insurance) i initiated a complaint yesterday whilst on the phone, received call this morning , policy will be re-instated with slight increase from original premium. 
however, 
loss adjustor also called confirming investigations and monitoring  to be carried out ,but, also stating some of damage is recent , but part of it is old.  This is not true , i will have to take this up with them after seeing the report.
I am worried now that they may decide not to carry out the repairs/rectification.

family members keep telling me not to 'what, if ' and just take each day as it comes and hope for the best.

am i overthinking?

Annemos

Thank the Lord, 78daniel. Well done. 


it is very hard not to overthink. Because one wants to be prepared. 

Just to say. I know I sound like a broken record. I have more cases on when they decline to fix the damage and if the FOS would view that as being reasonable.

So as you say, wait and see what their report says and then one can review if their analysis seems reasonable. For example, what is their evidence that there are 2 types of damage. 

EssexHebridean

Absolutely natural to overthink on something like this. I suspect the best way of dealing is to be aware that overthinking is what you are doing, but not beat yourself up about it happening, and to remind yourself that it's massively unlikely that your worse fears will come to fruition. (The insurance thing is a good example of this - you thought you were going to be left with none, but actually it was sorted out ion a fairly simple and straightforward way.)

Annemos

I don't really understand why...... say a month before their Policy renews...... why all the Morethan and RSA homeowners have not been sent a letter in the form of this:   


"We are ceasing to provide Home Insurance Polices. When your current policy comes up for renewal...... (then a description about Admiral being a possible alternative)."  But then the letter should go on to say    "However, if you have opened a Claim for Suspected Subsidence before your Policy expires, please contact our Help-line on xxxxxxx"


That would be great Customer Service and the Homeowner would then know exactly what to do. 

(That other poor Poster had also approached Admiral mid-claim in July and they were quoted nearly 5000 pounds!)

There must have been poor communications somewhere along the line?? Or I am missing something?

78daniel

since the  engineers visit , i have noticed further cracks appearing on walls  gaps forming between  skirting board and walls. 
would it be advisable to contact loss adjustors and inform them ?  or send them some photos, as when they come to install the monitoring devices they may just install them according to the engineers report and not to the other cracks which are appearing after.

Annemos

More cracks in the actual brickwork appearing in a different place or further along could be relevant for monitoring movement. The studs show whether the cracks open up or close up in different directions over time. 

So I would say, it is a good idea to send the new photos to the Loss Adjuster and ask him/her to review them, to see if it changes any of their current analysis.  (Inside and Out. And also good to keep for your own records.) 



Also, just a thought. The movement of the Skirting Board.... have you any idea if there is a drain below there, or a water main?    My Skirting Board moved away from the wall, above a Water Main leak. And there was also a narrow vertical plaster crack going up from skirting board level towards the window sill. 

The Company that surveyed my Water Main, took internal photos of the skirting board and crack above the water main, as it supported their Conclusion that there was indeed a Water Main Leak.

You are having a Drain Survey done soon, I believe. Are they also going to check out your Water Main? 

Do you have a Smart Water Meter? Are you losing water? (Larger readings?)


When my Company did an exploratory hole just outside where that crack was, the water came rushing into the hole. Apparently, digging a hole, causes a change in the water pressure (or something) and the water gets pulled into the hole by suction. 

Note that I am on gravelly clay and I have a concrete floor. There was no sign on the surface that I had a Water Leak, either inside or outside. It was only when the Water Company read the meter that it was discovered. 

78daniel

there are no drains or water mains below the skirting boards . they are on the other side of the property.

we do not have a smart meter.
will send photos to loss adjustor and show new cracks when they come to install the monitors, hopefully they will install them there as well.