We have a huge antique door which we imported ourselves from Sri Lanka several years ago at a total cost of £1000. We have recently moved home and put the door into a well known storage facility. On transporting the door to the storage facility it got damaged. We took out insurance through the storage company which covers goods in transit ( it was their people who transported the door). The policy states that damaged goods will be replaced. It would be impossible to replace the door! The insurance company want to send somebody out to asses the damage and see if it can be repaired.

Can anyone tell me if I have to accept a repair to the door or if I can insist on getting the money that it cost us? (as stated earlier, an exact replacemet will not be possible)

Thanks

Hello and welcome to CAG. You need to check your policy wording, but insurance companies often reserve the right to repair and item, especially I suspect in your case. I imagine the cost of getting another door from Sri Lanka would be prohibitive, or is it an option? You could help yourself by casting around the internet to see if you can show the insurer something similar.

Perhaps you would post the exact wording of the policy for damaged items? It will help us to advise you.

HB

Hi,

Thanks for your welcome and your reply.

The exact wording in the policy is as follows "settlement of claims is based on replacement (new for old) "

I have looked on Ebay for similar doors and they are being marketed for about £1500

Thanks,

Dan

Well, that could be in your favour. Do they give a maximum figure that they'll pay for one item?

HB

Hi,

There are only limits on certain types of objects. Furniture and antiques do not fall under those specific objects. A total of £25,000 is covered.

Thanks

Right, that sounds good. Do they mention a maximum for a single item at all?

HB

Only on stamps, watches etc - not on furniture or Antiques.

Thanks

Hello again. I stand to be corrected by someone more closely connected with this type of insurance, but I think you should wait and see what comes of this visit. You didn't mention how badly damaged the door is, so it's hard to comment on that. Did they drop it, for instance? You could arm yourself with a print-off showing the ebay door and price to show you're not making it up to try and extort money from them.

We seem to have lost Mossycat, one of our insurance gurus, but I hope one of the others will be along to add comments.

HB

There is a very ornate panel of fretwork on the top of the door frame. It measures about 4ft x 2ft. The damage has broken about a 6 inch hole in the fretwork. The broken pieces of fretwork are in 4 pieces. The fretwork could probably be glued back in place ( which is what I imagine the assessor will say) However, the insurance claim states replacement and not repair ( it specifically says this if you are not a business customer).

Thanks

Insurers can insist on a repair, provided that once it is done, the door is in the same condition as it was before the damage occured.

Sometimes what happens in these cases, is that if the work to do the repair is specialist, the Insurers cannot find anyone either suited or willing to do the job at a competitive price. They may then have to face facts and replace the door in line with the t&c's of the policy.

I can see this claim being a drawn out affair. They will not simply issue you a cheque for the relevant amount.

Thanks for the reply,

Is this still the case even though the policy states that the insured goods will be replaced on a new for old basis and not repaired?

Thanks

It would be unusual if the Insurers did not include repair option, somewhere within the policy wording.

If you phone the Insurers they will clarify this.