Despite taking out extra cover, one RIAS customer was told they would get no payout for their broken guttering
Following a week of exceptionally heavy snowfalls here in Beverley, the wooden front gutter of our house came down as a direct result of the severe weather conditions.
We rang our insurer, RIAS, and were transferred to Ageas which deals with claims. We were devastated by its response that we are not covered.
Our basic buildings policy states that it covers us for storm or flood but Ageas said snow is not included in the cover. Nowhere is snow mentioned in the exclusions, although frost is.
In addition to this expensive policy, we had taken out extra cover for "accidental damage to buildings caused by external means". In our case, these external means were the cumulative weight of heavy snow.
The gutter was repainted last summer and is in good condition. JW-E, Beverley, E Yorkshire
Ageas says its basic policy does include snow damage. It comes in the section for storm damage "which is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and accompanied by thunder and rain or snow". But apparently the basic policy would not cover the damage caused by the weight of snow to your outside porch.
For that you needed the accidental damage extension, which you had paid for. Ageas has now found that a system error turned your policy into one without accidental damage cover which is why your claim was initially turned down.
When the mistake came to light, Ageas paid your £1,336 claim in full.
You can email Margaret Dibben at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU and include a telephone number. Do not enclose SAEs or original documents. The newspaper accepts no legal responsibility for advice.
Share
No comments:
Post a Comment