Home Insurance Discussion

danthemanlfc

Much appreciated to both of you. In the end Halifax said they were happy to take us on with an open claim that would not count unless it is paid out. 

As a slight tangent does anyone know if we would have recourse to take action against the original builders after the recent extension of the statute of limitations (is that the right term?!) to 15 years (including retrospectively) as we are not the original owners? 

Essentially we are awaiting investigative work but there is a chance we might find a right mess under our patio in terms of rubble and half bricks (after finding evidence of shoddy workmanship already elsewhere) in a house that is 12 years old. Our old insurers have said we would not be covered for any action with them but the builders should have liability and I have already found a national newspaper article with a report about previous action against them...

Sandtree

danthemanlfc said:

As a slight tangent does anyone know if we would have recourse to take action against the original builders after the recent extension of the statute of limitations (is that the right term?!) to 15 years (including retrospectively) as we are not the original owners? 

The Building Safety Bill hasn't been passed and as its not law yet it would be speculative as to what it may do for you as it could go under significant changes in Committee Stage or subsequent readings.

Looking at the Parliament website they are saying probably around April for it to be passed and a further 12 months before it comes effective. 

youth_leader

Hello, I don't know if anyone can help me.  I'm a 64 year old woman and live on my own.  I bought my new bungalow in March, and was told the flat roof on the extension was replaced in 2019.  I was pleased.

The roof was blown off in Storm Arwen on Friday 26th November.  It was resin, and was blown to one side, then cracked in half and fell over the back of the bungalow.  It was the roof of  the lounge and kitchen, and when it blew off, water started pouring in through the spotlights.

I rang my insurer the next morning and made a claim, and was told I would hear from an assessor within 7 days, and was given a name.  Part of the ceiling came down on Tuesday 30 November, and I sent a message through the claims portal to ask for a visit date.  I was told the person was no longer available, and they had passed my details on to another company - and I should hear within 7 days. 

On Wednesday I was very lucky and someone came to put up a tarpaulin, but because the roof has gone, it isn't completely watertight and I still have a lot of water coming in.  They cut the roof off, which was banging against the back of the bungalow.   I removed all the carpets and my surveyor helped me move the sofa into the garden.  He also took down the sagging plaster and we bagged it.  

I've been sending photographs each day to the portal.

I've just had a text about an hour ago saying the surveyor can visit on 6 January.  We are due Storm Barra this week, I feel terrified, and have written to the claims portal again saying I'm frightened to live here. 

Is there anything I can do to get an earlier appointment?  Their offices are closed now. 

Doc_N

youth_leader said:

Hello, I don't know if anyone can help me.  I'm a 64 year old woman and live on my own.  I bought my new bungalow in March, and was told the flat roof on the extension was replaced in 2019.  I was pleased.

The roof was blown off in Storm Arwen on Friday 26th November.  It was resin, and was blown to one side, then cracked in half and fell over the back of the bungalow.  It was the roof of  the lounge and kitchen, and when it blew off, water started pouring in through the spotlights.

I rang my insurer the next morning and made a claim, and was told I would hear from an assessor within 7 days, and was given a name.  Part of the ceiling came down on Tuesday 30 November, and I sent a message through the claims portal to ask for a visit date.  I was told the person was no longer available, and they had passed my details on to another company - and I should hear within 7 days. 

On Wednesday I was very lucky and someone came to put up a tarpaulin, but because the roof has gone, it isn't completely watertight and I still have a lot of water coming in.  They cut the roof off, which was banging against the back of the bungalow.   I removed all the carpets and my surveyor helped me move the sofa into the garden.  He also took down the sagging plaster and we bagged it.  

I've been sending photographs each day to the portal.

I've just had a text about an hour ago saying the surveyor can visit on 6 January.  We are due Storm Barra this week, I feel terrified, and have written to the claims portal again saying I'm frightened to live here. 

Is there anything I can do to get an earlier appointment?  Their offices are closed now. 

That’s an awful position to be in.  In that situation I’d be contacting the Chief Executive of your insurance company.  It depends very much on the company, but it’s worth a try. You’re unlikely to get a direct response from the CEO, but it’s likely to go through an escalation route which will speed things up.

Good luck.

https://www.!!!!!!/

I see the link didn’t work. Google CEO email.

youth_leader

Thank you @Doc_N, I feels so shocked about it, I've just emailed Age Concern for advice.  I will do that right now.

youth_leader

@Doc_N, I found the CEO on LinkedIn and clicked message, but you have to go through the Premium service.  Free for a month then payable, and they want your bank details, very involved.  Another website, rocket search, also wants payment details.

I've put a comment on the insurer's Facebook page, as well as on Twitter.

I've looked at our local hotel that takes dogs tonight - fully booked for Christmas  

Doc_N

youth_leader said:

@Doc_N, I found the CEO on LinkedIn and clicked message, but you have to go through the Premium service.  Free for a month then payable, and they want your bank details, very involved.  Another website, rocket search, also wants payment details.

I've put a comment on the insurer's Facebook page, as well as on Twitter.

I've looked at our local hotel that takes dogs tonight - fully booked for Christmas  

You need the CEO's email address, and you can get that free from www.!!!!!!  (in case that link doesn't appear as a link it's www ceoemail  .com  - no need for any payment.

youth_leader

Thank you very much, there isn't an email address for him unfortunately.  Better eat something now I've printed off my 44 page policy, and read it! 

youth_leader

Thanks for setting me on the right track, I have managed to find the CEO of the parent company and just sent him an email.  If I get a result, I'll come back and report. 

youth_leader

@Doc_N - I've had a response to my email at 8.30 am this morning from the Complex Claims Handler, asking for my phone number so he can ring me.  The first person listed on the ceo site has retired, when I found out I forwarded it to the new CEO, thankfully it reached someone!

Seems he can't access my claim as their system is down.  I rang the local hotel that takes dogs last night - unfortunately fully booked for Christmas