Ceiling collapsed ! insurance advice needed

[fathead]

My mother in laws living room ceiling caved in this morning She just heard a crashing noise went in living room and found damage .She has been in touch with insurance company an was told that she has no claim that it is down to wear an tear, as it is an old house (built just after ww2) I thought this is what you pay your premiums for an that she should be able to claim on buildings policy .Any help or advice would be much appreciated

[Mossycat]

OK she needs to ascertain exactly what caused the ceiling to fall down.

 

Certain perils are covered by insurance, some are not.

 

I'd get an expert in and let them determine exectly what caused it, then post back and we'll advuse you further

 

Mossy

[djmetsandy]

I agree with Mossycat. Please remember that insurance is not a maintenance contract. Could you confirm what insurance policy your mother has so I can read the wording.

[jansus]

we had this happen and it was due to a leak. the water was absorbed until the plaster was saturated then bang it collapsed. we were covered by our insurance.but you will have to study the smallprint.

[MARTIN3030]

Yes I too agree -can you give specific details as to the insurance company and what policy she has?

Can you also update as to whats happened since you posted ?

[djmetsandy]

we had this happen and it was due to a leak. the water was absorbed until the plaster was saturated then bang it collapsed. we were covered by our insurance.but you will have to study the smallprint.

 

Jansus is right in saying that the ceiling may have become saturated and consequently collapsed. The insurance company is required to confirm the cause of damage is not covered by the policy but I will presume that the Incident Manager would have asked the appropriate questions i.e. "Is there any evidence of a water on the collapsed plaster?", "How old is the property?", "Has anyone done any work in this area within the past year?", etc.

[MARTIN3030]

Theolder properties and the ways in which they were built were far superior to that of today.

But Jansus raises good point-plaster does not agree with water-only when its first made.

Its all down to whats covered in the policy-we cant really speculate on that ...so we await more info.