marsh man Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 As some of you might know I have been having very high water bills and after the water company fitted a new meter as the old one was damaged on the top there was still a leak in the mains under my driveway , as it was getting me down I thought I will put through the house insurance , I have been with Aviva since we moved in just over seven years ago , yesterday I started the process of going through the motions , after looking at the policy about underground leaks I thought I had to pay £750 excess and the insurance would go up to 5K towards the repairs. After speaking to four different call handlers with having the last one telling me she will put me hold for ten minutes where I had time to make a coffee , when she got back she gave me the bad news , with it being classed as accidental damage I wasn't covered , so now I am wandering what I am covered for , I just thought that house insurance covered anything to do with the house , how wrong was I , and I bet I am not the only one who thought that, what say you . MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 I really feel for you but when you take out a policy you need to spend time to find out exactly what you are covered for.We had a Gas leak a few years ago and we had an emergency cover policy, but when the gasman came out he told us that is was wear and tear and that we would not be covered so he suggested that I drill a hole through the floor and puncture the gas pipe - he even lent me his drill!! Accidental cover was included so we were well happy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted October 4 Author Report Share Posted October 4 8 minutes ago, bruno22rf said: I really feel for you but when you take out a policy you need to spend time to find out exactly what you are covered for.We had a Gas leak a few years ago and we had an emergency cover policy, but when the gasman came out he told us that is was wear and tear and that we would not be covered so he suggested that I drill a hole through the floor and puncture the gas pipe - he even lent me his drill!! Accidental cover was included so we were well happy!! Brilliant , it would be my luck to drill through the floorboard and go through the gas pipe instead of the water and then find out I am still not covered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 (edited) Hello, I would have thought accidental damage would have covered it, but not wear and tear, I know people who claimed for subsidence and split pipe ? Saying this if you have to pay £750 excess then depending on the length of pipe run ? It may not cost that to lay a new service from meter to your home, What is the drive way made of ? if the pipe runs underneath, or is there some garden on side of drive way ?, What depth do you think the pipe lays ? , I have done jobs like this where I relayed on the side of the drive way and cut back in near the property Edited October 4 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPGUN749 Posted October 4 Report Share Posted October 4 If possible I have always recommended and preferred a water meter to be inside the house so that any lost water happens before the meter and won’t be recorded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 10 hours ago, bruno22rf said: I really feel for you but when you take out a policy you need to spend time to find out exactly what you are covered for.We had a Gas leak a few years ago and we had an emergency cover policy, but when the gasman came out he told us that is was wear and tear and that we would not be covered so he suggested that I drill a hole through the floor and puncture the gas pipe - he even lent me his drill!! Accidental cover was included so we were well happy!! Mm, much braver than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 I've been privileged with MM showing me part of his insurance policy via PM. My opinion on this is,,,, your insurance company is trying to wiggle out of allowing you on making a claim. First of all, you have Trace and access leaks cover. Which means if there is a leak on a water pipe anywhere on your property and it is 'concealed', they will trace it, carrying out whatever works necessary. Then, as you don't have the plumbing [leak fixing] cover, you have to pay for a plumber, or competent person, to fix the leak. Then the insurance company will put back, reinstate the previous works. How the leak was caused is not mentioned in the paperwork you showed me, but how would this be known if the pipe is not visible, as in this case it is underground ? I've attended many 'jobs/claims' similar to this, but also inside properties. Most are quite easy to fix/complete, some turn into horror stories, and most are 'accidental damage' to the pipework. Examples are...... Roots pushing on and splitting lead mains pipes. Internal water main pipes in the floor void coming apart on a poorly fitted joint. Central heating pipes rubbing on masonry. Central heating pipes rubbing on tiny stones trapped between the pipe and a notch in a timber joist [that was an odd one]. So I think that you must get back to your insurance company and push for them to take action. But, as I said in my PM,,,, if it turns out cheaper than your excess for you to 'do it yourself, then that is the way to go. Personally, if I lived closer [yes, that old chestnut 😆] I would sort this for less than your excess for definite 👍 Anyway, that's my take on it,,,, over to you MM 🫡🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 1 hour ago, old man said: Mm, much braver than me. Not really as the Gas was turned off the day before by British Gas and any gas was long gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 3 minutes ago, bruno22rf said: Not really as the Gas was turned off the day before by British Gas and any gas was long gone. Garage roofs with asbestos content is a favourite one for 'storm damage',,,, yeah right ! 🤭😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 Are leakstoppers still going with your water company? if so, they may come out and fix it if it's outside your property. My niece called them years ago, and they fixed it free. It was wiltshire, though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 17 minutes ago, vmaxphil said: Are leakstoppers still going with your water company? if so, they may come out and fix it if it's outside your property. My niece called them years ago, and they fixed it free. It was wiltshire, though Hello, Leak Detection teams are on most Water Companies , They go around at night as the best time to locate water leaks, but from what i gather leak is on property , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 Might be worth looking at HOMESERVE plumbing insurance, think they do one for £4/month that would have covered you for this problem with a £30 excess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 4 minutes ago, bruno22rf said: Might be worth looking at HOMESERVE plumbing insurance, think they do one for £4/month that would have covered you for this problem with a £30 excess? For the first year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveboy Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 I had great success with the insurance ombudsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 Is that not the usual with insurance company's deny liability till there forced into paying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 3 hours ago, bruno22rf said: Not really as the Gas was turned off the day before by British Gas and any gas was long gone. Mm, still not liking gas or electricity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 1 hour ago, Newbie to this said: For the first year We are with Anglian Water and each time they send us our water rates they include the option to join Homeserve free for the first year so we joined last year then cancelled when necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 3 hours ago, JKD said: I've been privileged with MM showing me part of his insurance policy via PM. My opinion on this is,,,, your insurance company is trying to wiggle out of allowing you on making a claim. First of all, you have Trace and access leaks cover. Which means if there is a leak on a water pipe anywhere on your property and it is 'concealed', they will trace it, carrying out whatever works necessary. Then, as you don't have the plumbing [leak fixing] cover, you have to pay for a plumber, or competent person, to fix the leak. Then the insurance company will put back, reinstate the previous works. How the leak was caused is not mentioned in the paperwork you showed me, but how would this be known if the pipe is not visible, as in this case it is underground ? I've attended many 'jobs/claims' similar to this, but also inside properties. Most are quite easy to fix/complete, some turn into horror stories, and most are 'accidental damage' to the pipework. Examples are...... Roots pushing on and splitting lead mains pipes. Internal water main pipes in the floor void coming apart on a poorly fitted joint. Central heating pipes rubbing on masonry. Central heating pipes rubbing on tiny stones trapped between the pipe and a notch in a timber joist [that was an odd one]. So I think that you must get back to your insurance company and push for them to take action. But, as I said in my PM,,,, if it turns out cheaper than your excess for you to 'do it yourself, then that is the way to go. Personally, if I lived closer [yes, that old chestnut 😆] I would sort this for less than your excess for definite 👍 Anyway, that's my take on it,,,, over to you MM 🫡🙂 This. Aviva is one of the best for cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 4 hours ago, JKD said: First of all, you have Trace and access leaks cover. Which means if there is a leak on a water pipe anywhere on your property and it is 'concealed', they will trace it, carrying out whatever works necessary. Then, as you don't have the plumbing [leak fixing] cover, you have to pay for a plumber, or competent person, to fix the leak. Then the insurance company will put back, reinstate the previous works. Just experienced exactly this. The insurers sent and paid for their appointed leak detector chap to find the leak. We already had a contractor lined up to rip up the bathroom floor repair the leak and reinstate the floor. Itemised invoice identified cost of leak repair which we paid and the insurers paid the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 4 hours ago, bruno22rf said: We are with Anglian Water and each time they send us our water rates they include the option to join Homeserve free for the first year so we joined last year then cancelled when necessary. Ours did that, I followed you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 5 hours ago, oowee said: This. Aviva is one of the best for cover. MM is with Aviva 🤦♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 7 minutes ago, JKD said: MM is with Aviva 🤦♂️ I appreciate that, which is why I said it. Seems to me the response from Aviva is incorrect. If insurance is for anything its accidental damage or risks beyond the control of the insured. I would be in full challenge mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 Bloody insurance is a minefield, anything to get out of paying. Just had a look at my building small print and it seems I am covered for accidental damage to the mains from the road to my house but not wear and tear leaks, however they will cover the cost of finding and digging down to the leak but I have to pay for the repair, that's for wear and tear leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 4 minutes ago, oowee said: I appreciate that, which is why I said it. Seems to me the response from Aviva is incorrect. If insurance is for anything its accidental damage or risks beyond the control of the insured. I would be in full challenge mode. Sorry, I was unaware you knew it was Aviva 👍 I've been advising MM via PM on this problem, as I carry out exactly this sort of thing through my job,,,, multi-trade builder carrying out insurance claim works. And yes, a challenge may be an option, but in reality it comes down to costs. If it's cheaper to DIY it, then that's the way to go. Incidentally, we find Aviva to be the best company for ongoing or unexpected changes through some claims 😉 One of the most important things for MM to do, is get it fixed, keep records and take lots of photos and videos as evidence, then go for a refund from the water company ! 🫡 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted October 5 Report Share Posted October 5 6 minutes ago, JKD said: Sorry, I was unaware you knew it was Aviva 👍 I've been advising MM via PM on this problem, as I carry out exactly this sort of thing through my job,,,, multi-trade builder carrying out insurance claim works. And yes, a challenge may be an option, but in reality it comes down to costs. If it's cheaper to DIY it, then that's the way to go. Incidentally, we find Aviva to be the best company for ongoing or unexpected changes through some claims 😉 One of the most important things for MM to do, is get it fixed, keep records and take lots of photos and videos as evidence, then go for a refund from the water company ! 🫡 👍 thankyou for supporting him. I have been insured with them for many years. I had a similar claim in Birmingham and they refused cover. I paid the first £750 for a concrete floor sample then they agreed the claim. A total of nearly £70k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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