Home insurance exclusions
Discussion
Now, I'm not interested in an insurance bashing thread, I'm trying to understand the logic of an exclusion on my policy.
We made a claim on our policy for some bathroom remedial work which included replacing a cracked sink and a travertine top. When I explained that I didn't know how it happened and I noticed it as dirt began to build up in the crack, AXA informed me that they wouldn't pay out as I couldn't explain how it happened.
They did say that if it had been accidental damage, then it would have been covered, but they can't put it against any category as I don't know the cause, so its excluded. I thought my honesty would ensure it was dealt with fairly, it appears not. I can't find the wording in the T&C's that cover this, but I don't speak jargon so it's more than likely I'm not reading it properly.
Does this sound right, I thought I paid my policy to ensure we were covered for things like this. £330 exclusion for the sink is a lot of money for us to fork out at the moment with a newborn and a single income.
Would like to understand if this is standard on most HI policies and whether or not I can remove this exclusion come renewal time.
Cheers
ACP
We made a claim on our policy for some bathroom remedial work which included replacing a cracked sink and a travertine top. When I explained that I didn't know how it happened and I noticed it as dirt began to build up in the crack, AXA informed me that they wouldn't pay out as I couldn't explain how it happened.
They did say that if it had been accidental damage, then it would have been covered, but they can't put it against any category as I don't know the cause, so its excluded. I thought my honesty would ensure it was dealt with fairly, it appears not. I can't find the wording in the T&C's that cover this, but I don't speak jargon so it's more than likely I'm not reading it properly.
Does this sound right, I thought I paid my policy to ensure we were covered for things like this. £330 exclusion for the sink is a lot of money for us to fork out at the moment with a newborn and a single income.
Would like to understand if this is standard on most HI policies and whether or not I can remove this exclusion come renewal time.
Cheers
ACP
AClownsPocket said:
Does this sound right,
Yes. Insurance generally covers only sudden failures, not long term deterioration.By way of example, you can't ignore a damp patch caused by a leaking gutter and then expect to claim for "flood damage" 12 months later.
It's essential to notify your insurer of a potential claim at the first sign of trouble. They can then expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
I may well be in the minority here, but would never look to make an insurance claim for something like that. I am covered by home insurance, but in my mind it is there to cover a catastrophe such as major flood damage or fire.
Not comparing this to the OP's case, but I do know of one guy that got a full bathroom suite and stair carpets replaced on insurance because he dropped some gloss paint which unfortunately splashed over the toilet, bath, sink and must have rolled out of the bathroom door towards the stairs. How unlucky.
Not comparing this to the OP's case, but I do know of one guy that got a full bathroom suite and stair carpets replaced on insurance because he dropped some gloss paint which unfortunately splashed over the toilet, bath, sink and must have rolled out of the bathroom door towards the stairs. How unlucky.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Yes. Insurance generally covers only sudden failures, not long term deterioration.
By way of example, you can't ignore a damp patch caused by a leaking gutter and then expect to claim for "flood damage" 12 months later.
It's essential to notify your insurer of a potential claim at the first sign of trouble. They can then expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Fair enough, I did notice it about 6 weeks ago, but I've spent that time since trying to get a quote from the original supplying company for the remedial work before I raised the claim. Maybe should have just called them straight away.By way of example, you can't ignore a damp patch caused by a leaking gutter and then expect to claim for "flood damage" 12 months later.
It's essential to notify your insurer of a potential claim at the first sign of trouble. They can then expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
I guess it depends on how you view the insurance.
Having just renewed mine, I realied that I naturally minimise the premiums by having large excess payments meaning that it wouldn't be worth claiming for anything "small". I've been lucky so far and the cost of replacing anything broken has been cheaper than the elevated premiums of low excess levels.
As I say, different approaches depending in cost/risk
Having just renewed mine, I realied that I naturally minimise the premiums by having large excess payments meaning that it wouldn't be worth claiming for anything "small". I've been lucky so far and the cost of replacing anything broken has been cheaper than the elevated premiums of low excess levels.
As I say, different approaches depending in cost/risk
My bathroom wash basin cracked a few years ago.
Like you, I was not aware of any incident that caused the crack. I first noticed a hairline crack. It expanded or grew more prominent over a period of time, but was still not leaking water at the time when I replaced it.
The crack was down to either a design / manufacturing issue, or wear and tear. There was no accident against which I would make a claim.
If something had dropped in the sink to cause the crack, then 'crack-on' with the insurance route.
But then I would expect to see an obvious chip or strike mark.
Like you, I was not aware of any incident that caused the crack. I first noticed a hairline crack. It expanded or grew more prominent over a period of time, but was still not leaking water at the time when I replaced it.
The crack was down to either a design / manufacturing issue, or wear and tear. There was no accident against which I would make a claim.
If something had dropped in the sink to cause the crack, then 'crack-on' with the insurance route.
But then I would expect to see an obvious chip or strike mark.
I think this is an install error, the travertine top causing the sink to crack. But the bathroom was installed 4 years ago, so I have no way of proving that. The remedial work is costing enough that the claim is worthwhile, I'll foot the bill for the excess and the cost of the sink. I was just curious if this was the norm never having claimed before.
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