Esure/ Cunningham Lindsay - Home Insurance

[Gbigs]

If any one could give me some advice on my following situation I would be most grateful, here goes....!

 

Around 4 weeks ago I contacted Esure as I's noticed a water mark on my kitchen ceiling and when investigated further in the room above, which is the bathroom, found there had been a leak as all of the plasterboard was wet and mouldy.

 

Esure advised me to get 2 estimations for the work so, I got a company round to check over the pipes in the loft to check for leaks and none were found, they were assuming that the water was possibly leaking from a crack in the grout to one of my tiles but could not rule out the shower leaking as the pipes are in the wall and this would involve taking off tiles etc.

 

They took measurements and noted down repair work and sent me a quotation, the 2nd quotation was based on the original contractors report. As the quotation was appox £6888 (inc vat) for repairs they said they would refer me to Cunnignham Lindsay and would send a loss adjuster round. (The reason for being quite high was because they were covering for possible water damage through the walls etc, room being re tiled, taking toilet & sink out to get bath out etc etc)

 

When she came I didnt realise I was going to be made to feel like I'd sabotaged my own bathroom, the visit took approx 30 minutes and actually looking at the damage 5 minutes. Her whole visit consited of telling me everything I was not covered for and basically stated that because it had been left for so long and was gradual I would not be covered.

 

Her reasoning behind this was because of mould growth saying this is a brake down in the seal etc but I fail to see how this can be proof of something going on for some time. I dont have mouldy tiles or grout and there are a few tiny spots on some wall sealant (and i mean tiny) All she did was take photos, she didnt even look under the bath etc.

 

We were advised not to continue using the shower but found another water mark on the ceiling, I got the contractor back as my insurance cover trace and access and found a leak to my shower. I emailed C&L with the findings and now their excuse for not excepting it is that im not covered for a 'slow leak' They have advised me that if im not happy with their decision to go to the contractor and get a report of why this was not a slow leak.

 

At the moment I have contacted the FOS and they are going to send me a form to fill in etc and have emailed C&L back to confirm this and also ask for a detailed explination of how they see this as a slow leak. I contacted them when I saw the signs of a leak which have since got worse so that surely has to go in my favour?! I have also contacted Esure to see if I should be keeping them up to date but they dont give a crap and dont want to know as its been passed on now. I am wondering why I have been paying for home insurance if this is the result?!

 

Any comments would be greatly appreciated as I dont want to let this go (and also be left with my bathroom as it is!)

 

Thank you

Gem

[rebel11]

Hi Gb

 

Welcome to CAG

 

The guys will be happy to advise as soon as they are available.

 

Thread moved.

[Gbigs]

An update on my situation above. I have received another email from C&L today in reply to my last email as I requested full details as to why my claim is being repudiated, they inform me that it is due to evidence of mould growth on the plasterboard under the bath and on the tiles and also the shower seal breaking down and leaking.

 

My reply is that the shower screen has nothing to do with the claim, the screen has leaked in the past from the rubber but not from the seal. I actually had this replaced this year so I know the sealant hasnt broken down. I have also done some research into mould growth as this is all they seem to be mentioning and have informed them that mould growth can happen in a matter of days/weeks and they are suggesting it has been going on for many months.

[Mwynci]

Your right to point out there are 2 issues here, the seal leak and the slow leak from the tap.

The seal leak would not be covered and any damage from that again not covered. The slow leak, well, it is gradual, but the leak is one event, and not one you will probably notice until it is too late. Now it could be a case that there are 2 causes and 2 incidents here, but they need to clarify that with you, and one may not be repairable without fixing the other.

Just go straight to the insurer, CL can't see past their nose and accept it may have been caused by something they didn’t discover.

[Gbigs]

Hello

 

Yes it could have been two incidents, we may never know as the damage is in the same area. When I contacted Esure in the beginning they said that whether it was the bath seal or a leak on the shower I would be covered either way for the damage that has been caused just not for the repair of the cause i.e repairing the shower or re sealing the bath.

From my last email yesterday regarding the research into the mould as this is all they keep refering to, they have requested that I get a report from the contractors to say whether they think the damage was caused by a slow leak that has been happening for sometime or something more current.

I have tried to go back to Esure as I wondered whether I should be letting them know ive been to the FOS, basically they dont want to know now. All they could say was if your complaints with us then you do have to let us know, if the complaints with C&L then its nothing to do with us........... funny that, they dont seem to mind taking my money every month!!!

 

Ive got the form from the FOS now so im in the process of filling that in and providing them with as much evidence as possible. I will also be forwarding the report to C&L so we will see.........