Insurance claim against me, who to speak to ?

[Jamster123]

Quick query,

We had a pretty bad accident at work which resulted in the neighbouring property to which we were working on, catching fire. There was pretty substantial damage though thankfully no one hurt.

The incident happened due to poor workmanship, by another contractor (whom ever was working on the property prior to us), although this accident waiting to happen could have been created a long long time ago and only discovered by us.

Anyway, Im not accepting responsibility for this.

I had a letter from a solicitors today, 2 years on, stating we are liable for the damages.

Who do I speak to ? Do I hire a lawyer or do I hand this straight over to my insurance company ?


Thanks!

[davepoth]

Straight to your insurer. That's what they're there for.

[Grandad Gaz]

I don't know the details but, if you were working in the gas industry, you would be liable.

Last man in, and all that. It would be up to you to make sure it was safe.


IMO, speak to your insurance company.

[insurance_jon]

send letters to your insurers
confirm to solicitors who you have sent their correspondence to
do not respond in any other way, now or ever, without the consent of your insurers
give your insurers a frank and detailed statement of your side of the story in laymans terms, along with any supporting evidence

they will handle it and appoint a liability adjuster who's job it is to get rid or mitigate the claim.

[Jamster123]

Thanks, and should I expect my insurer to do anything they can to wriggle out of covering me ?

[dacouch]

Jamster123 said:

Thanks, and should I expect my insurer to do anything they can to wriggle out of covering me ?

If it involved roofing or plumbing or welding did you follow any specific processes they set out eg having fire extinguishers to hand etc did you abide by them?

[Mr Pointy]

Did you tell your insurers there had been an incident?

[insurance_jon]

Jamster123 said:

Thanks, and should I expect my insurer to do anything they can to wriggle out of covering me ?

Honest answer is without knowing the full circumstances of the incident, or having sight of the policy schedule and wording I can't advise.

However they may want an explanation as to why you didn't notify them of the incident before now, as most policies require you to notify incidents within 28 days.

happy to chat on the phone it helps.

ps - remember it is the insurer that was on cover at the time of the incident in case you have changed

[Jamster123]

Thanks,

I spoke with insurance today, all put in process now.

I did notify them at time of accident. I never heard anything until now ( accident was august 2012 ).

[insurance_jon]

all should be ok then.

are you direct or through a broker?

[Jamster123]

Think its through a broker...

[MYTHING]

Find all relevant ORIGINAL documentation, risk assessments, notification to the insurers, letters to anyone involved, corespondence from the Fire Brigade, remember emails and texts can be used to confirm what you/company did and didnt d, and what you were authgorised to do, and any notes taken at the time, diarys, work sheets etc

It has to be the originals so if it goes to court the originals can be produced

My dealings with insurance companies have shown them to be good in the main