Insurance claim for flood damage - what's reasonable?
Discussion
Our garage has recently been flooded. It was a result of a blocked drain further down our road and heavy rain. Local utility company have admitted liability but require us to utilise our insurer for the claim. I'm fine with that and assume our insurer will present the utility company with the final bill. Claim has been opened and I need to present a list of what I'm claiming.
We have a double garage that was full of stuff (we have a lot of hobbies) that got a couple of inches of very smelly black water / silt. Most of the contents are fine as the garage is full of metal racking, but anything left on the ground has been contaminated. I don't want to take the mick so have been quite cautious, but also don't want to be a soft touch. Should I be claiming for the following, most of which I didn't intend too :
Several sets of golf clubs - bags became soaked, as did grips - really wouldn't want to hold grips again. Plan to claim for full replacement - but should it just be for new bags and clubs re-gripped?
Kids scooters - metal scooters with rubberised grips - didn't intend to claim as could be cleaned and kids no longer use them. But replacement value is circa £500
Lots of tools and equipment, such air air compressor have been contaminated, but still work and can be cleaned - I didn't intend to claim.
I'm not claiming for anything untouched by the water - but the garage is full of lots of absorbent stuff - 4 car helmets, 2 motorbike helmets, 10 cycling helmets, lots of body armour. These have likely become damp, but plan was to just let them dry out. Should I be claiming?
Apologies for appearing a bit clueless, but only made 1 home insurance claim in the last 30 years and that was pretty cut and dried. The cost of the contents that is ruined is fairly substantial so don't want to be seen to over-inflate the claim. Thanks.
We have a double garage that was full of stuff (we have a lot of hobbies) that got a couple of inches of very smelly black water / silt. Most of the contents are fine as the garage is full of metal racking, but anything left on the ground has been contaminated. I don't want to take the mick so have been quite cautious, but also don't want to be a soft touch. Should I be claiming for the following, most of which I didn't intend too :
Several sets of golf clubs - bags became soaked, as did grips - really wouldn't want to hold grips again. Plan to claim for full replacement - but should it just be for new bags and clubs re-gripped?
Kids scooters - metal scooters with rubberised grips - didn't intend to claim as could be cleaned and kids no longer use them. But replacement value is circa £500
Lots of tools and equipment, such air air compressor have been contaminated, but still work and can be cleaned - I didn't intend to claim.
I'm not claiming for anything untouched by the water - but the garage is full of lots of absorbent stuff - 4 car helmets, 2 motorbike helmets, 10 cycling helmets, lots of body armour. These have likely become damp, but plan was to just let them dry out. Should I be claiming?
Apologies for appearing a bit clueless, but only made 1 home insurance claim in the last 30 years and that was pretty cut and dried. The cost of the contents that is ruined is fairly substantial so don't want to be seen to over-inflate the claim. Thanks.
I would be claiming for anything that had been touched by the flood water and/or could have incurred damage as a result of the flooding, including anything that might have absorbed additional moisture.
I would claim for those scooters as who’s to say future grandchildren, cousins etc. might not want to make use of them?
I would claim for those scooters as who’s to say future grandchildren, cousins etc. might not want to make use of them?
As above put in a claim for everything and work down from there. More than likely they'll probably look at a few k of kit as acceptable.
I had some push bikes nicked from my garage the other year and initially put in a claim with a load of receipts but my insurer wanted a new for old quote from a vat registered bike shop which added another 25% to the payout. I didn't complain!
I had some push bikes nicked from my garage the other year and initially put in a claim with a load of receipts but my insurer wanted a new for old quote from a vat registered bike shop which added another 25% to the payout. I didn't complain!
Edited by SoliD on Thursday 6th August 15:07
I would honestly just claim for all of it.
Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Insurance should be there to put you back into the same Financial position as you were prior to the loss as that’s what you are paying your premium for.
Nothing to stop you submitting a written inventory of everything that has been physically damaged or indeed got damp with an extra line of explanation if needed.
I certainly wouldn’t want to risk a crash helmet that had got damp with no simple way of either drying it out or indeed knowing what same said damp had caused.
Then it’s up to the Insurer to decide what to offer - I assume they already know they will be getting full subrogation back from the utility company which may assist their decision !
It will also make the claim easier to justify than just a vague list.
That’s not over inflating a claim it’s just being honest.
They may or may not send round a claims assessor.
Don’t forget any excess your policy may have for when the utility company makes the Insurer whole.
Nothing to stop you submitting a written inventory of everything that has been physically damaged or indeed got damp with an extra line of explanation if needed.
I certainly wouldn’t want to risk a crash helmet that had got damp with no simple way of either drying it out or indeed knowing what same said damp had caused.
Then it’s up to the Insurer to decide what to offer - I assume they already know they will be getting full subrogation back from the utility company which may assist their decision !
It will also make the claim easier to justify than just a vague list.
That’s not over inflating a claim it’s just being honest.
They may or may not send round a claims assessor.
Don’t forget any excess your policy may have for when the utility company makes the Insurer whole.
Nezquick said:
I would honestly just claim for all of it.
Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Adding the photos with the inventory is a very good idea. Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Cheers all. There's already over £6k of kit in the claim without adding the extra stuff, which is why I'm being cautious. But hopefully it'll be obvious I'm not taking the mick as there's £20k of bikes, a £2k camping trailer containing £2k of stuff and loads of tools and sports equipment in the photos for which I'm not claiming.
alscar said:
Nezquick said:
I would honestly just claim for all of it.
Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Adding the photos with the inventory is a very good idea. Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
netherfield said:
If you claim via your own insurance and they claim back from the utility company, your premiums may rise next year..
Having made several car insurance claims over the years where a claim has not resulted in an increase in premium I'm happy to roll the dice.Besides, whether I claim directly from the utility co or my insurer I'll still have to declare the flood and damage at renewal.
JQ said:
alscar said:
Nezquick said:
I would honestly just claim for all of it.
Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Adding the photos with the inventory is a very good idea. Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
I would just urge a touch of caution with your cost hyperlinks part.
That might be helpful if the Insurer tries to knock your claim down leaving you then able to argue your point.
alscar said:
Insurance should be there to put you back into the same Financial position as you were prior to the loss as that s what you are paying your premium for.
Nothing to stop you submitting a written inventory of everything that has been physically damaged or indeed got damp with an extra line of explanation if needed.
<b>I certainly wouldn t want to risk a crash helmet that had got damp with no simple way of either drying it out or indeed knowing what same said damp had caused.</b>
Then it s up to the Insurer to decide what to offer - I assume they already know they will be getting full subrogation back from the utility company which may assist their decision !
It will also make the claim easier to justify than just a vague list.
That s not over inflating a claim it s just being honest.
They may or may not send round a claims assessor.
Don t forget any excess your policy may have for when the utility company makes the Insurer whole.
Surely helmets/scooters/golf clubs are items that you would expect to get wet at some point during their lifetime? I certainly don't replace my motorcycle or cycle helmet every time i go out in the rain.Nothing to stop you submitting a written inventory of everything that has been physically damaged or indeed got damp with an extra line of explanation if needed.
<b>I certainly wouldn t want to risk a crash helmet that had got damp with no simple way of either drying it out or indeed knowing what same said damp had caused.</b>
Then it s up to the Insurer to decide what to offer - I assume they already know they will be getting full subrogation back from the utility company which may assist their decision !
It will also make the claim easier to justify than just a vague list.
That s not over inflating a claim it s just being honest.
They may or may not send round a claims assessor.
Don t forget any excess your policy may have for when the utility company makes the Insurer whole.
If the water actually covered the helmet so dirty water could soak in to the liner, that would be different (I'd claim for a replacement liner), but if they were just in the garage so got damp from condensation, then I wouldn't claim
boyse7en said:
Surely helmets/scooters/golf clubs are items that you would expect to get wet at some point during their lifetime? I certainly don't replace my motorcycle or cycle helmet every time i go out in the rain.
If the water actually covered the helmet so dirty water could soak in to the liner, that would be different (I'd claim for a replacement liner), but if they were just in the garage so got damp from condensation, then I wouldn't claim
Quite agree except there is damp from moisture / sweat / rain as you say for the helmets and then there is damp because they have been “ too exposed “ to the flood. Can’t comment on golf clubs as don’t play golf. If the water actually covered the helmet so dirty water could soak in to the liner, that would be different (I'd claim for a replacement liner), but if they were just in the garage so got damp from condensation, then I wouldn't claim
Scooters sounds like they should probably be claimed for.
OP sounds pretty genuine though so given his initial post I guess he will have to make the call.
He is going to do notes apparently so could assess himself whether he thinks new items will be more sensible in the long run.
If the total claim is chunky enough then more likely that a claims adjuster will visit at which point he could let them have the final decision.
alscar said:
JQ said:
alscar said:
Nezquick said:
I would honestly just claim for all of it.
Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
Adding the photos with the inventory is a very good idea. Unless you take the piss and start claiming for a new car/motorbike/Rolex that just happened to be stored in there, I doubt anyone will kick up a fuss. Take photos of it all, show the damage, try and find costs/adverts for like for like replacements and send it all to them. They may even send out a loss adjuster to do all that for you.
I would just urge a touch of caution with your cost hyperlinks part.
That might be helpful if the Insurer tries to knock your claim down leaving you then able to argue your point.
JQ said:
We have a double garage that was full of stuff (we have a lot of hobbies) that got a couple of inches of very smelly black water / silt. Most of the contents are fine as the garage is full of metal racking, but anything left on the ground has been contaminated.
Was it foul water with sewage or surface water?If it’s contaminated with sewage then I don’t think you’re supposed to keep anything it’s touched. Even disposing of stuff is meant to be done by specialists - it shouldn’t just go to the council tip,
boyse7en said:
alscar said:
Insurance should be there to put you back into the same Financial position as you were prior to the loss as that s what you are paying your premium for.
Nothing to stop you submitting a written inventory of everything that has been physically damaged or indeed got damp with an extra line of explanation if needed.
<b>I certainly wouldn t want to risk a crash helmet that had got damp with no simple way of either drying it out or indeed knowing what same said damp had caused.</b>
Then it s up to the Insurer to decide what to offer - I assume they already know they will be getting full subrogation back from the utility company which may assist their decision !
It will also make the claim easier to justify than just a vague list.
That s not over inflating a claim it s just being honest.
They may or may not send round a claims assessor.
Don t forget any excess your policy may have for when the utility company makes the Insurer whole.
Surely helmets/scooters/golf clubs are items that you would expect to get wet at some point during their lifetime? I certainly don't replace my motorcycle or cycle helmet every time i go out in the rain.Nothing to stop you submitting a written inventory of everything that has been physically damaged or indeed got damp with an extra line of explanation if needed.
<b>I certainly wouldn t want to risk a crash helmet that had got damp with no simple way of either drying it out or indeed knowing what same said damp had caused.</b>
Then it s up to the Insurer to decide what to offer - I assume they already know they will be getting full subrogation back from the utility company which may assist their decision !
It will also make the claim easier to justify than just a vague list.
That s not over inflating a claim it s just being honest.
They may or may not send round a claims assessor.
Don t forget any excess your policy may have for when the utility company makes the Insurer whole.
If the water actually covered the helmet so dirty water could soak in to the liner, that would be different (I'd claim for a replacement liner), but if they were just in the garage so got damp from condensation, then I wouldn't claim
JQ said:
The hyperlinks are to live sales of the items being claimed and essentially provide evidence of my claim value - I don't have any receipts. So they solely form the basis of my opinion of value. What would be the benefit of hiding the evidence supporting my opinion of value for the items at the outset?
Simply because if the loss assessor / Insurer decides to be difficult or downplay your total loss and you’ve supplied costings already you may then struggle to argue. Bit like giving value of similar cars prior to actually getting the insurers number.
But you’ve got to do what you are comfortable with.
alscar said:
JQ said:
The hyperlinks are to live sales of the items being claimed and essentially provide evidence of my claim value - I don't have any receipts. So they solely form the basis of my opinion of value. What would be the benefit of hiding the evidence supporting my opinion of value for the items at the outset?
Simply because if the loss assessor / Insurer decides to be difficult or downplay your total loss and you ve supplied costings already you may then struggle to argue. Bit like giving value of similar cars prior to actually getting the insurers number.
But you ve got to do what you are comfortable with.
My evidence is hopefully compelling as I've taken the lowest value for each item and lots of the hyperlinks are to items on sale rather than the RRP.
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