Water damage claim with AXA, they are being awkward!

[jdey123]

Makes sense what you're saying bernie129 and I do sympathise a lot. I used to work as a contractor and went back to perm due to the hassle involved in negotiating contracts.

 

In my situation, the claims management company tried to foist a cowboy builder on me, who I rejected so then they said my only solution was to get a cash settlement from the insurance company and find my own builder. Now submitted 3 quotes to the insurance company and have given a host of reasons why I think the cheapest of the 3 quotes is not a fair and reasonable settlement. Awaiting the claim's handler's response so that we can open negotiations.

 

I didn't find it that hard to find builder's willing to quote in the end but I live in London so the place is awash with builders. I got my quotes from checkatrade.com, mainly because they show whether a company is limited or not, whether they're VAT registered, what accredited schemes they're members of (with hyperlinks), what insurance they hold and where they're located and have worked. I ignore the ratings, the reviews or photos as these are unverifiable.

 

There are other websites such as mybuilder.com if you want a cheap job done with no chance of recovering your money if things go badly wrong.

[edb49]

Thanks everyone for all their help, just wanted to come back to give a quick update.

 

The Crawford & Co adjuster came around on Friday. Bit of a flying visit to be honest, and the conclusion he reached was he needed to pass it on to a local office, as it was above his £25k delegated authority. So it's now over 11 weeks and AXA haven't got me a settlement figure or agreed a start date for their builder...

[bernie129]

Hi edb49 sounds like they are still giving you the runaround and you have my sympathies.

 

As I said before it only works one way with them, ask them if next time you pay your premium if its ok if you pay it 11 weeks after its due and see what they say.

 

How long does it take to price this work - to give you an idea I used to price stuff like this all the time and id measure on a monday and the customer would have the estimate within 7 days.

 

Interesting case though - 11 weeks and not a start on the job ,keep us informed as to how you go on though as it gives other people an idea as to who its best to take out insurance with.This story could run and run,good luck and I hope they start your work soon.

[Agnettio]

]Water Damage claim December 2010: re-build of the interior of my home

 

I have had terrible problems with Davies Loss Adjusters, Cardiff. My insurance is with Zurich via Saga (as Brokers).

 

After constant delay tactics to deliberately wear me down I have been cornered into a process of a 'cash settlement'. I have a detailed extensive builders estimate, which I submitted on the understanding that I would have my own builder to carry out the work instead of their chosen contractors. I was designated as 'the employer' if I'd agreed to have their contractors (which seemed very odd to me - apart from the fact that the experience I'd had of both Davies and their contractors was dreadful). A Works Schedule has been drawn up by their in-house surveyor, which contained some costings, but items of work to be carried out were left off the schedule. The surveyor mysteriously disappeared from the negotiations of my claim and this caused considerable delay to my claim.

 

I now find myself in a position of negotiating a 'cash settlement' after having been told by the Loss Adjuster that getting my own contractors in was a 'cash settlement' (yes... I have been Naive... if only we could do a crash course in insurance claims before we go into this whole cut-throat process - but we're usually in a state of complete despair and panic from the incident of the reason for the claim - hindsight is a wonderful thing).

 

I have been continually bated by them thorough the setting up of a tender process - yes, two of their builders did come out to look at my property in order to put in a tender. They had the Works Schedule to work from )minus the costings) and the idea was that one of them would be nominated - win the tender - and be employed by Me... to carry out the extensive repairs to restore my property. I, eventually, after much more delay tactics, received a garbled phone call from the surveyor (the last I ever heard from him) to set-up a date for a Site Meeting - where 'everything would be sorted out'....

 

The date of the meeting came and went and nothing happened. I had no explanation as to why the surveyor left the scene of my claim... and I then in desperation told the Loss Adjuster that I would 'project manage the whole thing myself and get my own builders in'. Apparently, this is were the confusion lies. But at no time, until very recently, has the Loss Adjuster made clear to me the distinction between on the one hand getting my own contractors in to replace the insurers contractors and getting a 'Cash Settlement'.

 

I now believe there never was going to be a 'site Meeting' and that the process was mainly to wear me down and trap me into going for a cash settlement.

 

I put in a very extensive builder's estimate - which came to £54,000.00 including VAT and a contingency sum of £3,500.00. Given that the surveyor didn't go into the attic, I'm unsure as to the full extent of the water damage up in the attic in the way of wooden beams and such like and also such a big build needs a contingency fee.

 

The Loss Adjuster has told me that 'they don't cover VAT - so I can knock off £8,000.00 or a contingency fee and he is 'looking at the costings'. The costings are all very fair and above board and compiled by a local builder of excellent reputation.

 

Does anyone know if it is true that the Insurers 'do not cover costings for Vat or a contingency fee'....

 

I would be grateful for any comments on this.

 

Agnettio

[unclebulgaria67]

Ask the loss adjuster as I don't really understand what they have said. It could be something to do with the value of the works.

 

Being that this is a domestic claim and not commercial, I would have thought that they would pay all the relevant costs including VAT.

 

Please set up your own thread, as otherwise the OP and others who contributed to this thread, will get email updates and posts that are not relevant to the OP.

[Agnettio]

Thanks unclebulgaria67,

 

I'm new to this site and really don't know how to set up a new thread. But I'm grateful for your comments.

[Agnettio]

Hi edb49, how is your claim going. I'd be interested to know. I have put a description of the problems I'm having on this thread. I am now, apparently, locked in a cash settlement conversation with the loss adjuster.

[unclebulgaria67]

Thanks unclebulgaria67,

 

I'm new to this site and really don't know how to set up a new thread. But I'm grateful for your comments.

 

All you need to do is go to the overall topic thread i.e. Insurance/Assurance. On the particular page, there is a button POST NEW THREAD.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?62-Insurance-Assurance-Companies-Pensions

[Agnettio]

Thanks.

[edb49]

Quickly about VAT. The situation with cash settlements is the insurer does not need to pay the VAT component until you have been presented with a VAT invoice. (Because you haven't "lost" that money until you have been invoiced.) So what you should agree with the insurer is either to pay you the VAT up front, or else they will pay you the VAT on your contractor's invoice with 7 days of you presenting the invoice to the insurer.

 

My claim is going OK. In fact, I think it will get resolved today. The thing that ultimately got the claim moving forwards was me taking legal action against AXA. This got their solicitors involved, and I had to keep on ratcheting up the pressure with their solicitors to get an outcome that was fair. We've agreed on a settlement figure now, and they sent through the documentation yesterday when I was out all day. I'm going to check it through today and hopefully sign it off. The financial settlement we've agreed is just under 9 times higher than they first offered!

[Agnettio]

Water Damage end of December 2010. I have a water damage claim in excess of 50,000 and have had all of the above problems with Davies Loss Adjusters. The insurance preferred builders that came out to initially do a stabilising process were shambolic. The loss adjuster and his surveyor deliberately delayed my claim in order to wear me down over a period of time. They have used tactics to bewilder, confuse and deceive me and they have lied to me. I eventually contacted Saga (my broker) and they seem to have had some clout with the insurer, Zurich. I've submitted my own builder's estimate and Zurich have given me a different loss adjuster (Cunningham Lindsey) to deal with the restoration of my home (using my own builder). The new loss adjuster is very much of the same ilk as Davies (Cagey and with a stance of solidarity with the previous loss adjuster), but the surveyor seems much better and a decent sort of person. Now a proper schedule of works is being set-up and he wants a statement of method from my builder. It's looking much better - but will my builder still be available to carry out the work when it all finally gets rubber stamped for the go ahead...? That's my problem now.

[paultheburke]

ed

 

im in a similar boat maybe you could contact me to see how and when or if yoru claim was resolved

[honeybee13]

ed

 

im in a similar boat maybe you could contact me to see how and when or if yoru claim was resolved

 

As I said on the other thread you've posted on, advice is best kept to the open forum.

 

HB

[Agnettio]

Sorry to hear you are having such a lot of problems. I found the whole insurance side of things much more stressful than the fact that my home was uninhabitable - although at first I thought the damage to my home was the worst that could happen. But in fact, thanks to the insurance company, things got much worse. Eventually.... I managed to get it sorted out. But it took a YEAR before I was back in my own home and by that time I was shattered and had become quite ill.

 

I can't imagine what advice to give you as it was so convoluted. What I did find incredibly helpful was joining Which? magazine's legal advice. You can email them with a list of problems that you are experiencing. You have to give them a brief outline of the problem and then you can keep going back to them for more advice as you go along.

 

This forum was also incredibly helpful - they will give you advice and guidance and moral support. The best part of this CAG is linking-up with others who are experiencing similar problems.

 

I don't know your situation, but you are entitled to go to your own surveyor and also to have contractors of your own choice - local contractors make much more sense and you can check out their reputation before taking them on. If you are not happy with the insurance company you need legal advice - and that's what I sought at Which? Magazine. It was the cheapest option, but quite hard work as you have to be economical with your question. But they are very good!

 

Good luck

 

agnettio

[paultheburke]

agnettio

 

how would we be able to contact one another where are you based was it davies loss adjusters cardiff

[Agnettio]

It most certainly WAS Davies Loss Adjusters Cardiff... but I'm concerned about personal contact as I've no way of telling if you're genuine. Don't want to sound paranoid... but I have to be careful.

 

One thing is for sure, if they are the people you are dealing with, then you have to get rid of them! You can request a different loss adjuster. Just tell your insurance company that you're not happy with them - quote their reputation on this site and refuse to deal with them.

[paultheburke]

thanks for that i am 10000% genuine as these people are trying to destroy my life

 

i am new to this site and not the best with IT at the best of times, how could i contact you/you contact me etc are we allowed to exchange numbers etc on this site I dont know the answer to that one

 

i would be able to re assure you if we were to speak , but i fully understand your concerns

[Agnettio]

I will have a word with Richard, who I met on this site, and see if we can get in touch. It'll take a little time as I need to contact him and then work something out.

 

Give me a week or so. Will be back in touch.

 

Meanwhile get in touch with your insurance company and tell them you want a different loss adjuster as Davies are putting up barriers to resolving your claim. Don't settle for anything other than a different loss adjuster.

[paultheburke]

hi there richard withey has sent me a friend request and i have accepted not sure if im using the site properly, and im awaiting a response

 

my case has gone past that stage and the insurers are as bad if not worse

 

the thing is that i am up against a timesclale at present

 

are we allowed to exchange details etc as i am happy to let you contact me if you so wish i am genuine and wish i could somehow convince you etc

[honeybee13]

thanks for that i am 10000% genuine as these people are trying to destroy my life

 

i am new to this site and not the best with IT at the best of times, how could i contact you/you contact me etc are we allowed to exchange numbers etc on this site I dont know the answer to that one

 

i would be able to re assure you if we were to speak , but i fully understand your concerns

 

Hello again.

 

Advice against personal contact is done for your own protection, as Agnettio says, you have no way of knowing who someone is on the interweb.

 

HB

[richard withey]

Hi Paul, You need to post 15 times to send private emails, do this, and your welcome to send me your number. Agnettio has said your in trouble with a claim. Please just be advised I am limited with what I can say online and can't discuss my claim at present. But if someone needs help and there is no regulator for Loss Adjusting Companies to go to, then basic discussion here should be fine. What was your claim for and what Loss Adjusting Company are you with?

[honeybee13]

As I said earlier, discussions are best kept on thread. As long as you don't post up personal information, there's no reason why people can't advise you. This way, answers are open to scrutiny by all for your protection.

[Agnettio]

Hi to All interested claimants,

 

A rather belated update on my problems with Davies Group in relation to their handling of my insurance claim.

 

In mid December 2011 I finally moved back into my home. The whole process had taken a full twelve months.

 

After having refused to have anything more to do with Davies Loss Adjusters (Cardiff), my claim went from strength to strength. The local builders that I myself appointed were overseen by a very good surveyor from Cunningham Lindsey Loss Adjusters - although the actual Loss Adjuster from Cunningham Lindsey was of a similar mindset to the Davies Group of Loss Adjusters. However, I was fortunate to be given a decent and honest surveyor whom I felt (in the main) I could trust.

 

The work by my own appointed builders was excellent and I am now enjoying my home very much.

 

Some time after I moved back into my home, I submitted a complaint to my insurer, Zurich, and have since received a heartfelt (or so they say) apology and have given me a courtesy payment of £500 by way of apology. I've accepted this and feel glad to finally draw a line under the whole dreadful experience.

 

It was so hard to take on both Davies Loss Adjusters and, in part, Zurich Insurance. However, I was in a stronger position to fight my case than most because Saga were my brokers and they did, where possible, fight my corner for me. Although, Saga, it has to be said, appoint insurance companies with disreputable loss adjusters - undoubtedly... Saga are only too aware of the problems that are so endemic within the insurance and loss adjusting industries.

 

This website, The Consumer Action Group, was an invaluable source of information and moral support to me. Without CAG I would not have met Richard Withey. And without Richard Withey I would not have had the moral support and shared knowledge to take on Davies Loss Adjusters in the way that I did.

 

Thank you Consumer Action Group and thank you Richard Withey.

 

Agnettio

[GuidoT]

Thank you for telling us how this panned out.

[Flooded out for 6]

Feb 2013

 

New to this forum - has anyone had any recent dealings with Davies Loss Adjusters (Manchester) have added to this existing forum hoping to find a bit of advice.

 

Having a bit of trouble i think in the process of a claim but as its our first ever we dont know if this is standard practice ...