happy new year everyone.

[Flyfisher]

. . . so we think there's a slight possibility that they accept we were misled when we took the policy out.

I'd recommed you pursue that quite vigorously Juju. I've recounted elsewhere here how we found ourselves uninsured for any jewellery after we claimed for the diamond that fell out of Mrs FF's engagement ring. It was actually our NFU agent who pursued the matter for us, probably because they realised we quite clearly required such cover, plus there was also some discrepancies in the various documentation they had sent us prior to changing our insurance to them anyway. In any event, they quickly paid our claim.

It seems that insurance companies are quite sensitive to charges of mis-selling these days, so it's well worth pursuing. I believe there's also a concept of 'unreasonableness' in contracts though I'm less sure how to pursue that particular option; the insurance ombudsman perhaps? It could be worth a try.

 

[Juju]

Well, I'm pleased to report that today after weeks of to-ing and fro-ing and final decisions that they wouldn't pay, we have actually heard that yes they will pay with a big apology for the stress. They presented us with a small bill of £66 for something or other to do with the policy but given the cost of the repairs is going to be around £40k we are not going to argue over that I just hope they pay for a project manager too and then we can really relax. So, burst pipes and insurance companies do sometimes have happy endings!

The main quibble from the underwriters was they claimed that we had left the house unoccupied for more than 60 days but in fact we had evidence from our bank statements (ie bills for petrol and restaurants in the area) that we never had and so in the end they accepted we were within the terms and conditions. We're just hoping now we can get the work done and the house sold before next winter - we don't want this happening again! The plumber said about 4 pipes had burst so no wonder the devastation was throughout the whole bungalow - clearing heavy soggy carpets and picking old ceiling and loft insulation out of the loo and basins etc is not an experience I want to repeat...
Juju

 

[Flyfisher]

That's very good news Juju - it must be a tremendous relief.

It sounds very much like our (far less stressful!) experience described above where we were also presented with a small bill (£18 I recall) for effectively providing retrospective cover for our claim.

So perhaps we should think more kindly towards insurance companies after all? Though there is still the point that you had to pursue the case in the first place. It seems to be the case that the first response is generally "no", followed by "oh, go on then" when the customer pursues a complaint.

One wonders how many people don't pursue their complaint after the first "no". Still, being entirely selfish, I suppose that sort of thing keeps the premiums down for the rest of us. :shock: :lol:

 

[CatherineB]

Congratulations, Juju. Shame on the insurance company for putting you through the mill, and well done you for persevering!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Good news Juju, perserverance pays off, but oh so wearysome!

 

[Penners]

Well done, Juju. Perseverance is its own reward (but it's nothing like as rewarding as a cheque for 40 grand!).