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House insurance claims - Help!

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 3:53pm
10 replies220 views5 members subscribed
em68

em68

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I’ve just had a flood in my property from a burst pipe, and have started the process of the insurance claim.  Taken, photos, told the insurance company, fixed the plumbing property and checked electrical outlets etc.  But I realise I don’t know how Spanish insurance companies operate in these situations.  For example in the U.K., they will usually send out loss adjusters pdq to look at the damage. A list is then usually drawn up of what items are beyond economic repair,  decide what construction work needs doing and either arrange for someone to come in or reach an agreed monetary settlement ( usually about 80%of estimate cost) .  

Unfortunately I know all this as my house in the U.K. has been flooded 4 times as we live in somewhere that has become a flood zone over the last 10 years!  Also, the companies will also assume that any electrical equipment which has been hit by water should be junked - even if it does dry out and start to work, it could become dangerous down the line. Here, my oven has definitely packed up, although my hob, microwave and fridge are still working.  On top of that there is some peeling of the laminate surfaces on kitchen drawers and the carcasses.  

 I was slightly surprised to be asked for photos and a list of damage, as that would normally be the role of the loss adjuster. Also, I’m not an expert and can’t tell how things may change in the drying out process. It’s made a bit worse by the fact I’m due to return to the U.K. for 6 weeks in two weeks time, so can’t wait forever if they do decide to send someone round.  

Has anyone had experience of how it works here?  It would be great to hear any tips people have for dealing with insurance companies here.  In the U.K. I always avoid using workmen sent in by the insurance companies, as I have seen neighbours get a totally shoddy job that way.  Anyway, I’d prefer to use my local builders whom I know, like and trust!

Jenni

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:28am

Jenni

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:28am

When we had damage to our roof thru a gotafria a loss adjuster came around and that was that, they paid for all the repairs, it was a quick easy process. Good luck

em68

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:34am

em68

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:34am

Jenni wrote on Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:28am:

When we had damage to our roof thru a gotafria a loss adjuster came around and that was that, they paid for all the repairs, it was a quick easy process. Good luck

Thanks. Didthey organise the repairs with their own selected workmen or was this something you could do yourself and then send them the bill?

Jenni

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:54pm

Jenni

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:54pm

em68 wrote on Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:34am:

Thanks. Didthey organise the repairs with their own selected workmen or was this something you could do yourself and then send them the bill?

They sent in builders to do the job

juanida

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:51pm

juanida

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:51pm

What company are you with? 

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Alicia 11

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:00pm

Alicia 11

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:00pm

good luck we had a water leak over 6 weeks when we were in the UK and the damage was to all the furniture and carpets and obviously it effected the walls and paintwork in the building.  An assesor came from the insurance company but he did not make any financial contribution to the  on going problems and did not value anything for what it cost to replace.  In the end we received a small amount of money and had to cover the cost of everything ourselves.  The damp took 3 years to recover from.  We changed insurance company and when we later had a pool leak it was dealt with efficiently and quickly and we used our own builder to do the work.

em68

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:24pm

em68

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:24pm

juanida wrote on Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:51pm:

What company are you with? 

Here’s hoping I get through this!  Fortunately my damage is very minor and can mainly be lived with if they don’t pay up. Was it just that they grossly underestimated value, or that they refused to cover some items?  I’m glad to hear you have had one experience of being able to use your own builder though. Did they pay him directly or give you a lump sum to cover the cost?

One good thing I found out today is that I don’t have to wait fir the loss adjuster to visit the house as they will deal with things by videocall  I’m with Liberty seguris

Alicia 11

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:38pm

Alicia 11

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:38pm

em68 wrote on Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:24pm:

Here’s hoping I get through this!  Fortunately my damage is very minor and can mainly be lived with if they don’t pay up. Was it just that they grossly underestimated value, or that they refused to cover some items?  I’m glad to hear you have had one experience of being able to us...

...e your own builder though. Did they pay him directly or give you a lump sum to cover the cost?

One good thing I found out today is that I don’t have to wait fir the loss adjuster to visit the house as they will deal with things by videocall  I’m with Liberty seguris

when we had the repair done to our pool we paid the builder and they paid us.  when the insurance company didn't pay out it was because they said they had a minimum level of cover and although we had been paying the premiums that they set from day one at no time had they ever said that we did not have the minimum cover required, of course they had taken our money every year without question.  They said that it was up to us to make sure that we were covered not them!   We were with Helvilia and changed to Liberty Serguras and have never had any complaints about them or the cost since. 

em68

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:18pm

em68

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:18pm

Alicia 11 wrote on Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:38pm:

when we had the repair done to our pool we paid the builder and they paid us.  when the insurance company didn't pay out it was because they said they had a minimum level of cover and although we had been paying the premiums that they set from day one at no time had they ever said that we di...

...d not have the minimum cover required, of course they had taken our money every year without question.  They said that it was up to us to make sure that we were covered not them!   We were with Helvilia and changed to Liberty Serguras and have never had any complaints about them or the cost since. 

Really useful. Did yoi submit the builders bill for payment or did they just agree a figure beforehand and pay up on that -which is what often happens in the uk

Alicia 11

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:56am

Alicia 11

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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:56am

em68 wrote on Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:18pm:

Really useful. Did yoi submit the builders bill for payment or did they just agree a figure beforehand and pay up on that -which is what often happens in the uk

just submitted the bill to them as included vat and paid that day very good service

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