I am a leaseholder - Can I claim for unplanned reduce to rubble to a built-in hob below my contents insurance?
I own a flat within a block; I have a leasehold agreement as opposing a freehold. I only have contents insurance as the buildings are insured by the freeholder.
Recently I accidentally dropped something onto my built-in cooker hob and smashed it. I hold tried to claim under the accidental bring down section of my contents insurance but it has be declined by the insurer on the grounds of a built-in hob is not part of contents as it is not moveable.
Should I approach the freeholder and ask to take home a claim under his buildings insurance? If his insurance does not cover for accidental impair then do I have a valid claim lower than my contents? If not, what should I do?
My point is - how could I have been covered for unexpected damage to a fitted appliance when I was not indebted to take out buildings insurance as I am a leaseholder? It seems close to an unfair loophole if there is no track of covering accidental damage to fitted appliances if someone is a leaseholder and one and only needs contents insurance.
Thanks.
Answers:
I'm no claims expert, but if you own the leasehold (not renting) this sounds very difficult to me.
Most UK contents policies cover 'fixed glass and bathroom fittings' (might want to check yours) a hob seems to at least possible arguably fit the definition of 'fixed glass'. Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) rules in the UK are very strong a company have to do the 'right' thing.... they can't hide bringing up the rear iffy definitions !
I think this have to be worth an argue. I have a horrible feeling that any chance cover on the 'buildings' cover will probably only relate to common areas.
Best guidance I can give is to re-post this in the UK insurance bit, there are a couple of cracking experts there.... might even be worth drawing your interrogate to the attention of a certain 'vestonpants'... you can find him in the Insurance top answerer's roll.
He's a claims expert and a bloody nice bloke to boot, though obviously he only does this out of the piety of his heart... it's not his job to answer.
I think you're one given the run-around... if you get really stuck... drop me a line and I'll ask around professionally for you to capture a better idea.
You posted this to a USA board, so you get a USA answer.
Contents on a renters policy can include coverage for built-ins, if YOU added the built-in. BUT, on most policies, they are on a name perils basis. Of course, falling objects is a name peril, but usually it has to damage the outside of the building first.
If you didn't incorporate coverage for your built-ins, it's not covered.
Likely, the damage is going to be under the deductible for the freeholder. Even if it IS covered, his insurance company can come after you, because YOU are the one that dog-eared it.
Your point - you can't. You just have to be more fussy.
Related Questions:
Recently I accidentally dropped something onto my built-in cooker hob and smashed it. I hold tried to claim under the accidental bring down section of my contents insurance but it has be declined by the insurer on the grounds of a built-in hob is not part of contents as it is not moveable.
Should I approach the freeholder and ask to take home a claim under his buildings insurance? If his insurance does not cover for accidental impair then do I have a valid claim lower than my contents? If not, what should I do?
My point is - how could I have been covered for unexpected damage to a fitted appliance when I was not indebted to take out buildings insurance as I am a leaseholder? It seems close to an unfair loophole if there is no track of covering accidental damage to fitted appliances if someone is a leaseholder and one and only needs contents insurance.
Thanks.
Answers:
I'm no claims expert, but if you own the leasehold (not renting) this sounds very difficult to me.
Most UK contents policies cover 'fixed glass and bathroom fittings' (might want to check yours) a hob seems to at least possible arguably fit the definition of 'fixed glass'. Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) rules in the UK are very strong a company have to do the 'right' thing.... they can't hide bringing up the rear iffy definitions !
I think this have to be worth an argue. I have a horrible feeling that any chance cover on the 'buildings' cover will probably only relate to common areas.
Best guidance I can give is to re-post this in the UK insurance bit, there are a couple of cracking experts there.... might even be worth drawing your interrogate to the attention of a certain 'vestonpants'... you can find him in the Insurance top answerer's roll.
He's a claims expert and a bloody nice bloke to boot, though obviously he only does this out of the piety of his heart... it's not his job to answer.
I think you're one given the run-around... if you get really stuck... drop me a line and I'll ask around professionally for you to capture a better idea.
You posted this to a USA board, so you get a USA answer.
Contents on a renters policy can include coverage for built-ins, if YOU added the built-in. BUT, on most policies, they are on a name perils basis. Of course, falling objects is a name peril, but usually it has to damage the outside of the building first.
If you didn't incorporate coverage for your built-ins, it's not covered.
Likely, the damage is going to be under the deductible for the freeholder. Even if it IS covered, his insurance company can come after you, because YOU are the one that dog-eared it.
Your point - you can't. You just have to be more fussy.
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