Hi I have been told I am not insured for 'storm damage'to my fence due to last Thursdays disaster.

However would some kind sole read this insert below and explain how they would understand the bit mentioning 'fences'. The reason I ask is surely this would make the person feel they were covered for that risk?

Key benefits

• Cover is provided for the structure of your home {including outbuildings, garages,walls,gates,fences, etc} against an extensive list of perils such as full accidental damage cover, fire, storm,flood,theft, maliciousdamage, subsidence impact etc {see policy for full list}

My interpetation to this is the words 'incuding' and 'such as' would make the person believe they were covered because the word fences is mentioned and leads me to associate this with claiming against a storm damage.

What do you think have I got a argument here or not just on that paragraph, cos that is what I am basing my argument on.???

Milly X:)

The key is what it says in your policy with respect to the level of cover.

HTH

Glenn

What you've reproduced here certainly suggests that the damage to the fences should be covered.

Are there any exclusions on the policy that might affect it.

If not then I would certainly write a letter of complaint to the insurance company asking what part of your policy excludes the fences from cover.

Tell them that if you don't get a satisfactory answer within 7 days that you will take the matter up with the insurance ombudsman and, if necessary, the small claims court because you believe that they are in breach of contract.

Please keep us informed.

Regards, Rooster.

The main thing to look at tis the peril "storm" in your policy booklet. If it excludes damage to gates hedges and fences then I doubt you will have a case for complaint

Rooster. Thanks am going to do exactly that.

Glenn and craig:-

However, I now have been to the Financial Ombudsman site and this is what is called a'misleading description' and clear contradiction between the policy summary leaflet and the policy booklet exclusions and has happened to many policyholders and their claims have been settled after complaint to the ombudsman.

Loads of cases there.

misleading descriptions

Milly X:)

Heres one complaint that mentions reliance on the leaflet.

18/15

household contents – limit of cover – brochure promising wider cover than policy terms – whether insurer entitled to rely on policy exclusion.

P.S have not got the insurers policy booklet as Endsleigh Insurance are the broker and deal with it!

Milly X

Milly

This looks good for you, the point i was trying to make was that there is often a generic book that gives information on a range of levels of cover, hence my comment about what it says in your policy.

Anyway whats the next step?

Glenn

Hi Glenn,

The complaints manager is taking alook at the policy summary to see if what I have said is correct and implies that the fence would be covered. I will update with his reply tomorrow followed by a letter to the complaints department if answer is NO. If rejected by them then Im off to the Financial Ombudsman.

Milly X:)

Good luck.

Rooster.

If it is an act of God can he be sued aka the film with Billy Connolly---sorry just could not resist

thats ok nattie:)

He phoned and I was out left amessage that he would call tomoz!

Milly X:)

Who, god?

Om my goodnss. My telephone conversation stating misleading description worked as the

INSURER SAID YES!! yippee!!! :D :D

The complaints manager said that only in this instance and it would not happen again as they are busy amending their policy summaries now, he said they would fully pay out as if I was covered as it did read that way!!!!!

Milly X:)

Who, god?

Yep he is now that he's agreed to pay out!!!!!

Milly X:)

Hi Millymollymoo.

That's terrific news. Congratulations.

Way to go!

Regards, Rooster.

Thank you Rooster...It has saved me over £800!!! Just the 50 to pay in excess!!!!

MillyX:)

Actually saved me £1150. Check those contracts or key features docs:D

I am surprised you got that one as most insurers have excluded storm damage to fences since the 'hurricane' of 1987.

Looks like sloppy documentation won you through there. Well done.

Yes exactly it was the misleading description on my key features that made me believe I was covered and stated that. They had alook and agreed, however they state this would not be allowed again as they are correcting this.