Insurance query

[tequilamock]

I live in a small hamlet of 7 houses. Some time back, it transpired that our raw sewage was being discharged in to a local burn. We all suspect that a rather unscrupulous property developer disconnected our pipe and connected it to his own set of 4 new builds. However, we have been unable to confirm this.

One of the neighbours insrtucted his insurance company, who have tried, without any success, to find the problem. They eventually simply gave up. Now our neighbour has received a letter from them (12 months on!) requesting the NAMES of all the neighbours He already has the addresses.

He explained that the insurer wants to be REIMBURSED by the other six property owners for their share of the cost of work already done.

How do we stand? None of us requested any work to be done. And we still don't have a conclusion.

We are all prepared to share the cost of a new sewage treatment plant, if this is what is needed, but I do not see how the insurer can take this approach.

Thank you

[tequilamock]

My query is not about the sewage treatment plant. It is about the lawyer who is now asking to bill 6 parties who did not instruct him.

We are in Scotland, but I do not see that would make a difference to the question.

Thanks

[boxtops]

It might, tequilamock - the law is different in Scotland (as you know) and insurance law may likewise differ. IMO the insurer is trying it on - it was your neighbour who instructed them, not you as a group (unless of course you all have the same insurance company)

[tequilamock]

Thanks - I'm sure he's just at it! I will speak to my insurance company though, as I'm sure I will need to instruct them when it comes to the new plant.

[venator]

Your neighbour's insurer is probably trying to pass some of the cost on to your insurer.
That's normal procedure in the insurance business!!

[boxtops]

That's one way of looking at it, venator - if tequilamock gets a bill from insurer 1, pass it to their own insurer and see what they make of it.