I know this is way OT but you guys have so much experience in all aspects of life.
I have had to have some fences fixed/replaced in my garden. The total code is £467.
I could claim this off my house insurance but don't know if this is stupid or not.
I would have to pay £100 excess, but what effect would this have on my renewal. Is the £367 I claim just going to be eaten up by increased renewal price?
TIA
Ask your insurance company.
Are you sure you can claim? Many exclude fences unless there is storm damage to the buildings too.
Yes I am sure I can claim. The damage was caused by a storm in January. The insurance company has already ok'ed the claim as long as it is under £500.
I just got a quote online from my insurance co (M&S) with and without no claims. It made a difference of £120.
Its on the cusp I reckon of whether its worth claiming or not
How does the amount compare to the premium you are paying? Have you made other claims? Have you been with the same insurer for many years?
Firstly, expect the loss adjuster to visit. If he can argue in any way that you are under insured -using current demolition and rebuilding costs, provision of alternative accomodation, etc - you will not get the
367GBP and your premiums will go up, irrespective of anything else. If the fences haven't been properly maintained, etc, forget it.If this is the only claim in many years with the same insurer - it won't greatly effect things. The excess may go up, to discourage you from making such a claim in the future.
If you have a succession of claims, expect the excess and premium to go up. Say by around 10% a year.
The greatest effect is possibly on moving your insurance to another provider - they will not be keen on anyone with a claims history and will be wondering if you are intent on hopping from insurer to insurer, making a claim on each. You may get declined insurance or only offered special terms - but only after a succession of claims, not one in isolation.
So, as well as everything else, you have to think about the likelyhood of making another claim in the next year or so - one for a larger amount where the question of absorbing the cost is not relevant. Having a number of claims is certainly not good for getting low premiums.
So, if the fences were clearly well maintained, if the cover is adequate, if you have been with the company a while, if you don't foresee any future claims, if your insurance company isn't particularly cheap (try getting alternate quotes to see how good a deal you have), claim.
If you have given the company full details of the insured property and their current premiums are significantly better than what you could get elsewhere for the stated rebuild costs, then it may not be worth rocking the boat.
|!I know this is way OT but you guys have so much experience in all aspects of |!life. |! |!I have had to have some fences fixed/replaced in my garden. The total code |!is ?467. |! |!I could claim this off my house insurance but don't know if this is stupid |!or not. |! |!I would have to pay ?100 excess, but what effect would this have on my |!renewal. Is the ?367 I claim just going to be eaten up by increased renewal |!price?
My house insurance specifically excludes fences. IIRC this applies to all house insurance in the UK. Fences always fall down, and rebuilding them is a classic DIY Job.
Hmmm are statements a and b connected?
Not for small claims
lol
For the benefit of anybody else in my situation.
I just telephoned my insurance company (M&S) and they said that if this was my 1st claim in 4 years then the renewal would not be loaded at all.
For the second I could lose 2 yrs no claims and so the renewal would be increased by about 10%.
I seem to remember that the only difference I noted between m&s standard and premier cover was that the latter included fences. I couldn't tell if fences also included walls, and didn't fancy the price difference anyway.
Steve
First check they are YOUR fences and not the responsibility of a neighbour.
You use the term fences in the plural suggesting there is more than one. Most people are only responsbile for one fence around their garden - not all of them.
Just a thought....
chas.
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