Insurance claim advice

[Gwylan]

We've had a leaking pipe in the bathroom and it's flooded the place; brought the ceiling down and ruined lots of our stuff downstairs - our floor looks like there's been a JCB rally, it's a mess of plaster work and other debris.

We have a loss assessor coming within the next few days. I've not made an insurance claim before: what's the process? Do we accept what loss assessor says? Do we have to wait while they book someone to fix it or do we go ahead and do it? How long does it generally take to get paid? (We're with Direct Line). Any tips about what we should do?

 

[Questions]

We've had a leaking pipe in the bathroom and it's flooded the place; brought the ceiling down and ruined lots of our stuff downstairs - our floor looks like there's been a JCB rally, it's a mess of plaster work and other debris.

We have a loss assessor coming within the next few days. I've not made an insurance claim before: what's the process? Do we accept what loss assessor says? Do we have to wait while they book someone to fix it or do we go ahead and do it? How long does it generally take to get paid? (We're with Direct Line). Any tips about what we should do?

Well get the pipe fixed yourself first obviously and then the norm is to get a quote from a builder to see the cost of repair. Some insurance companies will ask for two quotes and others will have their nominated firms much like when you have a car smash. Generally though the adjuster will have an idea after he visits of roughly how much a quote should be for.

 

[wellquickwoody]

How long has this pipe been leaking?

 

[sharpey38]

We've had a leaking pipe in the bathroom and it's flooded the place; brought the ceiling down and ruined lots of our stuff downstairs - our floor looks like there's been a JCB rally, it's a mess of plaster work and other debris.

We have a loss assessor coming within the next few days. I've not made an insurance claim before: what's the process? Do we accept what loss assessor says? Do we have to wait while they book someone to fix it or do we go ahead and do it? How long does it generally take to get paid? (We're with Direct Line). Any tips about what we should do?

who is your insurer? if its royal sunalliance you are in good hands. With my old firm we used to do insurance repairs.

they will appoint there recommended builders, but you don't have to accept them, normally its hassle free to go with them though

 

[Zeff]

Let the Loss Adjuster deal with it all, he or she will access all the damage, and report back to your insurers directly with their findings. Your find that despite all the hassle at the moment, your do OK out of of it in the end. The loss adjusters tend to be extremely fair and reasonable, however if you don't agree there really isn't much you can do, as they tend to be independent.

Hopefully your have a new for old policy, which does exactly what it says on the tin, and they normally have preferred suppliers such as Curry's/Furniture World/Carpet Right etc....and will say you have £ to spend at these places on the damaged items. they should arrange a clear up operation once the loss adjuster has been.

Hope this helps

 

[Gwylan]

Pipe got fixed this evening. I have emergency response insurance so a sparky and a plumber came out today and fixed electrics and pipers - didn't have to pay for that, it's part of the policy. Getting building fixed and things repaired is going to be tougher. Already got a quote from a local builder - I'm more concerned about my faithful hi-fi which got a full blast of water and is ruined, will I get the full cost of replacing it?

 

[DanielT]

oh no, and you had all my expensive electrical equipment in that room below the bathroom ;-)

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

oh no, and you had all my expensive electrical equipment in that room below the bathroom ;-)

I'm sure by the time the assessor arrives the good people of nsc could fill you room up with electrical goods damaged by the water.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Can I have my iPad, which presumably got washed away, back?

 

[Deleted User X18H]

You will be indemnified. You will be put back in the same financial position you were in before the loss occurred. Receipts are your best friend now. Check your policy. Check your excess. Look at your exclusions. Indirect cost? What did you do to prevent the loss?

All insurers are scanning their exclusions nowadays. Premium income is what they want. Investment income opportunity.

Claims is a dirty word. Be careful don't give them anything to suspect.