House insurance - Can I re-open a very old claim?

CheeseOnToast

Hi,

I am hoping there are some insurance buffs here who can help me out.

Basically, around 18 months ago, part of my bedroom ceiling came down, I don't know what the exact cause was, the guy who came from Dale maintenance said it was covered.

Anyway, at the time we were very skint and decided we couldn't afford the £100 excess. I never heard from either company anyway from that point so just left it.

About 6 months ago I found a letter unopened in the bottom of a bag of paperwork saying that the claim was covered and if they didn't hear back/receive the excess in 2 weeks they would close the claim down.

Now we have a bit more money available and another baby on the way and really want to get the ceiling sorted, so can I just ring the insurance and tell them I would like to proceed with my claim now? I know you have to notify them within 180 days (which I did) - but where would I stand with this?

As another weird twist, I found out about 6 months ago I have been duel-insured the whole time - so in theory, if I cannot claim this, I could just claim with the other company as I have to get rid of one of the policies now anyway. Are insurance companies likely to keep a record of every individuals claims in the country and share them>? I can't see how this would be logistically possible..

Anyway, thanks for the help in advance.

Phil

V_tricky

Hi,

My guess would be that they would cover the original damage as estimated, but wouldn't pay for any increased costs caused as a result of the delay.

FlameCloud

That sounds about right.

All claims are logged onto a database called CUE, and most insures also log attempted claims as well. This is searchable by anyone that subscribes to it. Insurers and banks have a remarkable degree of cooperation when it is mutually convenient.

FlameCloud

CheeseOnToast wrote: »

As another weird twist, I found out about 6 months ago I have been duel-insured the whole time - so in theory, if I cannot claim this, I could just claim with the other company as I have to get rid of one of the policies now anyway. Are insurance companies likely to keep a record of every individuals claims in the country and share them>? I can't see how this would be logistically possible..

Anyway, thanks for the help in advance.

Phil

Sorry, missed the first part. Due to afore mentioned database if you tried this it would be very very silly. It would change from a refund for dual insurance to a voidance on both for fraud.

Steve1981

FlameCloud wrote: »

That sounds about right.

All claims are logged onto a database called CUE, and most insures also log attempted claims as well. This is searchable by anyone that subscribes to it. Insurers and banks have a remarkable degree of cooperation when it is mutually convenient.

you mean like when it comes to preventing fraud and avoiding driving up honest peoples claims, by not paying out on fraudulent ones?

Steve1981

the problem you might have is as follows, as you are covered by both insurers, they will split the claim, therefore having 'used' both companies you would not be eligible for a refund.

its like what happens when you claim on travel insurance, but the item is also covered under personal possessions of a home contents policy

geri1965_2

I would forget about the other policy and just ask for the original claim to be re-opened.

CheeseOnToast

Thanks for all your help everyone, I am going to give the original insurers a ring today. Fingers crossed!

CheeseOnToast

Steve1981 wrote: »

you mean like when it comes to preventing fraud and avoiding driving up honest peoples claims, by not paying out on fraudulent ones?

are you implying I am not an honest person? lol. I am not just making a claim up out of thin air, get over yourself.

Steve1981

CheeseOnToast wrote: »

are you implying I am not an honest person? lol. I am not just making a claim up out of thin air, get over yourself.

no I am not, I was refering to the following point by flame cloud

"Insurers and banks have a remarkable degree of cooperation when it is mutually convenient"

at no point did I say the claim was made up, or that you are not honest, apologise if that was how it was percieved.

FlameCloud

Steve1981 wrote: »

you mean like when it comes to preventing fraud and avoiding driving up honest peoples claims, by not paying out on fraudulent ones?

I'm not sure what your trying to imply here- i.e. whether your trying to be sarcastic or not??

At the end of the day, insurers are buisnesses, and if it will save them money in the long run then they will jump into bed with most other companies very quickly!