Totally OT but I need the advice of fellow blatchatters

[Kevsta]

My neighbours house had a fire four weeks ago and I am having some problems with the insurance company. If anyone has any advice they can offer then please let me know. Essentially they have dragged their feet with continuous calls from me. The house mainly had smoke damage and it is just all dirty and was very smelly. Now it is four weeks down the line and I have had the windows open it is not too bad but all the soot is still everywhere as the cleaners still haven't come. I am living elsewhere (in my mothers flat that I am sort of renting from her) but the insurers are saying they won't pay as the house isn't a health hazard and they less a loss adjuster who also seems to think that black floors and black kitchen and bathroom is acceptable! My main reason for not wanting to live there is the dirt and the smell. Originally you would smell like a bonfire having been in the property for only 5 minutes....not very professional to turn up to work like that! Plus everything is dirty and what else have I paiud insurance for if not to sort such problems out.

 

Advice please...

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Surely you are entitled to get the property reinstated to the way it was before the fire next door. You should be making some very loud noises - are you communicating with your neighbour, or (now) directly with their insurers ? I thought most insurers were pretty good at actioning this sort of event these days ? What if you didn't have an alternative place to live - it would be intolerable ! There are a few members in the insurance business, so they'll be along soon !

 

Edit - are you claiming off your insurance, or that of your neighbour ?

 

7 related photos

 

Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 19 Nov 2007 12:00:02

[Kevsta]

I am making lots of noises but so far anyone who has seen it has been on behalf of the insurers and not me. Just had the company in who are going to be doing the cleaning later this week come in and he said it wasn't habitable so I will be pointing that out to them!

 

That is the other issue....my insurers say they will have to pay as the fire was an accident?! Most house fires are! But it also means I'll have to pay my excess (£100) and have a claimn against us for our renewals! All seems wrong to me...

[Stationary M25 Traveller]

Should/can you claim the excess off your neighbour's insurers

 

7 related photos

[Kevsta]

Worth a try but I would guess that if they are not liable to pay for all the damage they won't pay my excess. It'd only £100 but that's not the point...that's £100 towards a new gearbox or something!

[Road Terrorist]

May seem a daft idea but post your problem on one of the legal forums, you may get some seriously good advice from a person with legal background

 

If in doubt flat out !

[Sheds Moderator]

Make a complaint in writing and send it by rec del, stating that you will go to the Ombudsman if they don't cough. Last time I did this after a similar delay their position shifted from "we will not pay" to "this has been authorised and passed to our payments dept." within 48 hours.

[John Ryan]

Can't you appoint a professional loss assessor to look after your interests?

 

 

[Kevsta]

Many thanks for all comments.

 

I could appoint a loss assessor but I would think that would cost me more than the loss I am looking at which is only a few hundred pounds.

 

Kevin

[Beaulieu17]

You have said that your insurers will not pay for the alternative accommodation as your property is not a health hazard. Most insurance policies provide cover for "reasonable alternative accommodation costs if the insured property is uninhabitable". Being a health hazard and uninhabitable are not the same. It may pay you to check the exact wording of your policy and remind the insurers of this.

 

I have dealt with many insuance claims for fire and smoke/soot contamination and have only refused accommodation costs where the contamination is light. Insurers use specialist fire restoration companies and are usually guided by them. If, in their opinion, a property is uninhabitable then insurers should accept what they say - that is what they pay them for.

 

As far as a loss assessor is concerned, check what their fees are before signing anything if you go down this route. You could end up being out of pocket.

 

If a Loss Adjuster is involved, I would have a friendly chat to them and explain the position. It may be better to have them re-visit so you can point out your concerns. Most Loss Adjusters are quite friendly - well I am anyway.

[FTH]

but the insurers are saying they won't pay as the house isn't a health hazard

Oh Realy?

Lot of carcinogens in soot/smoke.

[Kevsta]

Many thanks to all who responded, I'll let you know how I get on, all food dor thought and I will keep on at them.

 

Yes I thought the carcinogens would be a hazard, a grey area me thinks.

 

[Dee Pee]

Kevsta,

Make sure that you get the redecorations done properly using correct cleaning techniques and using specialist neutralisers under the new decorations otherwise you may have problems after a while. ICI Dulux do special coatings and specifications for this sort of problem. I've had to do specialist reports for this sort of 'accident' in the past.

 

 

[Andy Best]

From what you have posted am I right in thinking you have suffered smoke damage from your neighbours home. If I am right the next course of action should be to contact your insurers, most polices provide legal advice these days at the very least they should be able to advise you on the course of action to take and which parties insurance are liable given the detailed information about the loss. There is no doubt here that you have suffered a loss and your insurance co will not want to pay out to rectify the situation if the circumstances can be proved and it's not their liability.

 

Andy