Home Insurance Policies

[JohnD]

Can you lay your hands on your policy?

Some of the plumbers think that there are household insurance policies which exclude damage resulting from water leaks when work has been done by a DIYing householder, although none of them seem to have actually seen a policy that says so.

I find the idea improbable, and my policy has no such exclusion.

Does yours?

 

[Nozzle]

On a similar theme, if me, as a householder and DIYer decide to do a spot of painting myself rather than get the decorators in, and I spill the tub of paint while taking the lid off or decanting into a kettle, and ruin some nice carpet - can I claim on my contents insurance? What about if I spill it in the car because it got pierced by something or the lid was dislodged?

Nozzle

 

[Burnerman]

It's worth checking out the 'accidental damage clauses'......most insurers will cover immediate incidents, but not historic stuff, like timber damage due to an ancient water leak.
John

 

[JohnD]

...I spill the tub of paint while taking the lid off or decanting into a kettle, and ruin some nice carpet...

This would be "accidental damage" and might be included, though it may be an "optional extra" on your policy so the premium would be lower if you didn't choose it. On mine I didn't choose it because my carpets, furniture etc are not so new or expensive that I wouldn't replace them myself, and I have both an excess and a no-claims discount, so not worth me making a small claim.

AFAIK perils like fire, flood, burglary, escape of water are always included though there will be specified exclusions (e.g. you leave the door unlocked)

 

[big-all]

sometimes they will repair the cause off the damage to avoid the same "accident" happening again if the cause is easily fixed

a decent insurance company will pay out on any accident without looking for unreasonable "get out "clauses
most but not all refusals are because people try it on to get a payout when its not due or not as bad as claimed

 

[TonyW2]

The core of the argument is that the insured house-owner is required to maintain the property in good repair. If maintenance is done on a DIY basis, then did that work produce a state of good repair?

If it did not, and a subsequent event gives cause for a claim, then the claim could be rejected due to failure to comply with the terms of the policy about maintaining in good repair.

The original debate was caused by a view that using PTF on a compression joint was not demonstrating an adequate quality of work.( That view is not necessarily correct.) and hence the presence of such would always invalidate any claim arising from a leak.

I would not envisage an insurance policy having a blanket DIY exclusion.

 

[JohnD]

Can you find a term in your insurance policy that might be relevant?

 

[TonyW2]

Can you find a term in your insurance policy that might be relevant?

"general exclusions---defects---you are NOT covered for...any loss or damage caused by or from poor workmanship, poor design or faulty materials"
(Halifax Insurance)
It is irrelevant whether the work was DIY or by a professional plumber.

On applying for insurance you will be asked "Is the property in good repair" or similar." and hence any subsequent inadequate work would render it uncovered..

 

[foxhole]

Can you lay your hands on your policy?

Some of the plumbers think that there are household insurance policies which exclude damage resulting from water leaks when work has been done by a DIYing householder, although none of them seem to have actually seen a policy that says so.

I find the idea improbable, and my policy has no such exclusion.

Does yours?

It's called negligence.

 

[JohnD]

what does your home insurance policy say about DIY plumbing, foxhole?

 

[Dextraneous]

what does yourf home insurance policy say about DIY plumbing, foxhole?

What does yours say? And can you provide evidence?

 

[noseall]

what does yourf home insurance policy say about DIY plumbing, foxhole?

What does yours say? And can you provide evidence?

Grow up Dex.

 

[crank39]

I work for an insurer and they have a term for this, its called 'consequential loss/damage' so not covered, you would then have to argue 'accidental damage' in fact i'd do that first!

 

[Dextraneous]

what does yourf home insurance policy say about DIY plumbing, foxhole?

What does yours say? And can you provide evidence?

Grow up Dex.

Point taken.