Insurance Claim

[horseshoes]

About three years ago, we had a multi fuel stove fitted and had the chimney lined at the same time and whatever else they do.

On Boxing Day during the awful storm, water came down our chimney. It was so bad that the stove was like a fish tank. We spent ALL day mopping up and it was an awful mess. What we hadn't realised at the time, was that the water had also run along the hearth and it was a few days later that we could feel that block flooring had come loose under the carpet. Anyway, we put a claim in for the storm damage and an assessor came. We were more interested in sorting out the problem with the roof, but when I mentioned the floor, he wanted to see that too, so I pulled the carpet back and showed him. He said that someone would have to come test it in case the adhesive had asbestos in it. A roofer came and looked at the roof and said the problem was the cement on chimney stack being too thin. We haven't heard anything so today we rang LV and they're saying that the chimney cement is down to shoddy workmanship, and won't pay the claim. We can't see on the roof can we, so is this fair? Can we claim from the person who did the work? LV hadn't even the courtesy to let us know!

[bhg481]

I think that if you get in writing from LV the reason they won't pay the claim, you get then go to the people who did the job and ask them to pay for the damage. If they refuse I can see that you have no option but to have the work done by someone else and then go to the small claims court.

[horseshoes]

Thanks BHG481. I had a feeling that's what we'd have to do. We've paid insurance to LV for many years and NEVER had to claim. Now we make one they won't help. We won't be renewing with them.

[Arrods]

Hang on. I wouldn't give up on pursuing LV. And you've still got the Insurance Ombudsman if you've exhausted their complaints procedures. Just because workmanship may have been shoddy doesn't mean to say they shouldn't necessarily pay the claim and seek a recovery from the builder.

[bhg481]

Good point Arrods.

[horseshoes]

Hmmmm. Thank you. It's food for thought. I'm SO annoyed with LV and even more with the builder, but I'll certainly get on to it. Thank you.