Lightning damage, insurance advice?
Discussion
Rubbbbish.... Git home this eve to find the phone line has been zapped, after lots of testing it appears it has killed:
Alarm panel, 3 keypads and an expander
Sky HD box
Sky Router
Net gear switch
500gb NAS Drive
PS3
Samsung 49" 7000 series TV
Light up bathroom mirror
And finally bathroom under floor heating controller!
A bit pissed off to say the least
I do hope Zurich don't fight it too much, does any one know what the norm is for this sort if claim? Is it like for like, the TV was bloody expensive a few years ago so I don't really want to be fobbed off with a Tesco's own brand cheap one, am I likely to get a say? I have already ordered a new router from Sky so I hope I haven't jumped the gun before discussing with the insurance but worst case it was only £39.00.
Any advice before I speak to the insurance in the morning welcomed...
Alarm panel, 3 keypads and an expander
Sky HD box
Sky Router
Net gear switch
500gb NAS Drive
PS3
Samsung 49" 7000 series TV
Light up bathroom mirror
And finally bathroom under floor heating controller!
A bit pissed off to say the least
I do hope Zurich don't fight it too much, does any one know what the norm is for this sort if claim? Is it like for like, the TV was bloody expensive a few years ago so I don't really want to be fobbed off with a Tesco's own brand cheap one, am I likely to get a say? I have already ordered a new router from Sky so I hope I haven't jumped the gun before discussing with the insurance but worst case it was only £39.00.Any advice before I speak to the insurance in the morning welcomed...
I reckon the starting point should be an electrical report on your fixed wiring and any appliances that no longer work or could be affected - from an NICEIC approved contractor.
This should be paid for as a part the claim - what if your wiring is partially fried but still working for the moment - if the house were to catch fire later due to a fault you'll think this was money well spent (may also highlight some issues you weren't aware of too)
As long as there were reports of lightning in the area at the time you suffered damage then there should be no issue with the claim - whether indemnity or new for old depends on the wording of your policy and whether you paid for the cheap nasty cover or betterer dearer cover.
This should be paid for as a part the claim - what if your wiring is partially fried but still working for the moment - if the house were to catch fire later due to a fault you'll think this was money well spent (may also highlight some issues you weren't aware of too)
As long as there were reports of lightning in the area at the time you suffered damage then there should be no issue with the claim - whether indemnity or new for old depends on the wording of your policy and whether you paid for the cheap nasty cover or betterer dearer cover.
Edited by elanfan on Wednesday 9th July 01:36
I had this some years ago.
Basically, anything with electronics plugged into the mains was zapped and one electrical spur in the dining room blew the plaster out of the wall.
I had a new for old insurance policy on household goods and my insurance company paid out in full.
Their only stipulation was to use one local electrical supplier so we just went there and chose equivalent TV's video recorder, fridge, washing machine etc and they billed the insurance co directly.
Basically, anything with electronics plugged into the mains was zapped and one electrical spur in the dining room blew the plaster out of the wall.
I had a new for old insurance policy on household goods and my insurance company paid out in full.
Their only stipulation was to use one local electrical supplier so we just went there and chose equivalent TV's video recorder, fridge, washing machine etc and they billed the insurance co directly.
elanfan said:
I reckon the starting point should be an electrical report on your fixed wiring and any appliances that no longer work or could be affected - from an NICEIC approved contractor.
Definately this, youre reporting end of line faults (ie appliances) it'd definately be worth having the remainder tested properly too, as all parts of the installation would have seen the strike. I had a similar problem with a lightning induced power surge on my phone line early last year.
The insurer didn't quibble about anything - which surprised me considering the damaged items weren't really mainstream (a Cisco ADSL router and ethernet-connected audio streamer worth ~£5k combined). They allegedly 'checked' for lightning in the area at the reported time - no idea how / where / by whom this is recorded - and also asked for invoices for the equipment which I provided. Nobody wanted to see or take possession of the damage items. The money turned up in my account a few days later and I heard no more... the next years' premium barely changed. I was surprised by the process as, on reflection, the same claim could easily have been made fraudulently.
The insurer didn't quibble about anything - which surprised me considering the damaged items weren't really mainstream (a Cisco ADSL router and ethernet-connected audio streamer worth ~£5k combined). They allegedly 'checked' for lightning in the area at the reported time - no idea how / where / by whom this is recorded - and also asked for invoices for the equipment which I provided. Nobody wanted to see or take possession of the damage items. The money turned up in my account a few days later and I heard no more... the next years' premium barely changed. I was surprised by the process as, on reflection, the same claim could easily have been made fraudulently.
I am an engineer working for a loss adjusters. I cannot comment on how your policy will respond, but I agree with what others say about testing the fixed electrical installations. I recommend you raise concerns about the integrity of the fixed wiring immediately with your insurer. I would advise against appointing an electrician or buying replacement items until you have spoken to the insurer and agreed it is okay as they may have preferred suppliers.
It is possible the insurer may appoint a forensics expert to establish cause. This does not necessarily mean they suspect you of foul play - insurers re-insure risks and have to establish the relevant peril.
It is possible the insurer may appoint a forensics expert to establish cause. This does not necessarily mean they suspect you of foul play - insurers re-insure risks and have to establish the relevant peril.
theboss said:
They allegedly 'checked' for lightning in the area at the reported time - no idea how / where / by whom this is recorded
We have a web-based tool for this. I can type in a postcode and date and it will tell me details such as minimum and maximum temperatures, maximum wind speeds, rainfall data and number of lightning strikes in the area. The data is provided by the Met Office.Thanks all some good advice there. I have spoken to Zurich and they seem to be dealing with it well, excellent point about the electrical check but interestingly not something Zurich even mentioned but they have agreed to reimburse me so the Sparky is coming next week, I replaced the alarm panel and bits last night and router should be here today so progress is being made...
LoonR1 said:
Not only have you not been "fobbed off" bit nor has anyone else on the thread yet the best compliment you can muster is "progress is being made"
Thankless task springs to mind
What do you expect, a parade ?Thankless task springs to mind
if insurance works properly you are put back to where you were, no better, no worse off, result is absolutly best case you can expect is someone to satisfied with an insurance claim, if they are pleased, then experience has given them lower expectations, or they were given too hight a settlement
If you want the never ending praise from the public for doing your job you are probably not in the right industry
ging84 said:
What do you expect, a parade ?
if insurance works properly you are put back to where you were, no better, no worse off, result is absolutly best case you can expect is someone to satisfied with an insurance claim, if they are pleased, then experience has given them lower expectations, or they were given too hight a settlement
If you want the never ending praise from the public for doing your job you are probably not in the right industry
Quite the opposite, but it does highlight why we don't try to excel, as there's no way to win with the customer, so we pander to just in time delivery at best. if insurance works properly you are put back to where you were, no better, no worse off, result is absolutly best case you can expect is someone to satisfied with an insurance claim, if they are pleased, then experience has given them lower expectations, or they were given too hight a settlement
If you want the never ending praise from the public for doing your job you are probably not in the right industry
ging84 said:
if insurance works properly you are put back to where you were, no better, no worse off, result is absolutly best case you can expect is someone to satisfied with an insurance claim, if they are pleased, then experience has given them lower expectations, or they were given too hight a settlement
Or you have new for old contents cover.TwigtheWonderkid said:
Or you have new for old contents cover.
Which most people have by default nowadays as it's easier to buy the current model TV or other electrical item, than it is to try to source a xx year old one. Ditto with wallpaper on floods, much easier to put new stuff up than find some used old stuff 
LoonR1 said:
Not only have you not been "fobbed off" bit nor has anyone else on the thread yet the best compliment you can muster is "progress is being made"
Thankless task springs to mind
You mean apart from the bit where he said:Thankless task springs to mind
Hoonigan said:
I have spoken to Zurich and they seem to be dealing with it well
Were you expecting a marching band and fireworks?Hoonigan said:
Goonr1, when I read your first post I thought you sounded like a bit of a cock now you have just confirmed it for me, maybe it's time for a change of career, you really don't seem very happy when it comes to insurance matters!
Hey, lets play a little game shall we Goonigan (I think my sides have just split). The statement below was my first post and that prompted you to think I'm a "cock"? Sad little man, unable to think for himself posts a question on the internet that can't actually be answered by anyone but the insurer that I directed you to. Shall I call you a dick to join in the fun and games?
LoonR1 said:
It's either covered or it's not. Simple as that. You'll only find out by either phoning your insurer or reading the policy booklet.
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