Home Flooded - Insurance Advice Needed

[ADDLED]

Hello again!
Long story short: Plumber was in charge of works to change stopcocks in flat, instructed boiler engineer to shutdown communal water system until further notice. Boiler engineer turned water back on before stopcocks were replaced (against plumbers instructions), flat flooded, parquet flooring wrecked.

The insurance assessor attended and agreed the boiler engineer is at fault and sanctioned removal of all flooring, skirting, plaster, kitchen and bathroom floor tiles, etc, work starts next week. Boiler engineer Co has denied liability, my insurer has said that the lawyers will decide who's at fault.

My worry is that this work is starting before liability is agreed and there is this legal hiatus and, should there be a disagreement in whose at fault, could I end up with a big bill?

tks
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[des8]

You won't end up with the bill! (

Your insurers have agreed the claim and will probably pay for it in the first place.

When you make a claim like this you subrogate your rights to the insurers who then stand in your place.
They are now trying to recover their costs from the Boiler Co. (or even perhaps the plumber in charge)
If they don't succeed the insurers will stand the claim

[ADDLED]

You won't end up with the bill!

Thanks Des, that's really put my mind at rest. Just received the quote for the parquet and its £20k, estimate of the total cost incl. 6 months stay in alternative accommodation could be around £60k!!!

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend.
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[ADDLED]

You won't end up with the bill! (

Your insurers have agreed the claim and will probably pay for it in the first place.

When you make a claim like this you subrogate your rights to the insurers who then stand in your place.
They are now trying to recover their costs from the Boiler Co. (or even perhaps the plumber in charge)
If they don't succeed the insurers will stand the claim

Hello again! We had a bit of a drama with the loss adjuster (apologies, I said 'insurance assessor' in first post... he's the loss adjuster appointed by Axa) that's really shaken my faith. I've a couple of questions which I highlighted, I'll break it down and try to keep it short...

1) Loss adjuster verbally stated third party was to blame, so I'd expected them to move hell and earth to get me rehomed and the work started, but...
2) Subsequently the loss adjuster tried to convince me that flooded, damp home was habitable and wouldnt pay for alternative accommodation. When I disputed this he told me that I could "make the place uninhabitable by removing bathroom sanitaryware". Surely this is fraudulent?
3) He tried to instruct his appointed contractor to replace part of the parquet. I've had 3 wooden floor specialists all state that the parquet is blown and needs to be completely pulled up urgently to assist drying concrete base, and completely replaced. This week they finally agreed to replace the lot.
4) Both bedrooms have original built-in wardrobes that stand on the parquet. Flooring companies have said it needs to be ripped out for new parquet to be fitted and unlikely to be able to salvage and re-fit original so would need a modern alternative, but the adjuster has refused. Is it reasonable to expect them to cover this cost?
5) I feel so let down that I'm considering appointing an assessor to act on my behalf. I asked the loss adjuster for copies of the reports from their contractors but they're kicking their heels, citing data protection. a) Am I allowed to see the reports? b) Would it help me if I engaged an insurance assessor to act on my behalf?

tks
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[des8]

Regarding your first question I doubt the Loss Adjuster was expecting you take him seriously. As you suggest it would be fraud and he would quickly advise the insurers so. You would then find your policy voided and your claim refused!
Whether or not your property should be deemed uninhabitable would depend on the aggregate of the problems. Replacing flooring and replastering might not be sufficient. Perhaps your council if they can advise.

Regarding your second question i think his reasoning is wrong but you are still do not have the right to see the reports.
You have made a claim and subrogated all your rights to your insurer, and all reports etc are private to them.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome/progress of your claim there is absolutely no reason why you should not appoint your own assessor.
This will be of assistance when you insist the parquet is replaced properly, including the fitments standing on it!

[ADDLED]

Blimey Des, 10pm on Sat night... thanks again for your help; do you ever get any time for yourself?
I'm going to take your advice and appoint an assessor (any suggestions welcome!) Am I correct in assuming the assessor's fees would be recoverable under the policy and the assessor would be privy to any reports?

Regarding your first question I doubt the Loss Adjuster was expecting you take him seriously.

I know, that's what I thought initially, but I'm certain that he was serious. He'd called me a few days after the inspection (where he'd confirmed that the boiler engineer was at fault) and stated that "they" had assessed my home as habitable. I argued that dehumidifiers blasting 24/7, bacterial spores, etc... but he held firm and asked for a medical report if I had health issues. I told him that it might take a while to get a GP appointment, which is when he suggested ripping out the bathroom fittings. I asked him who would pay for it, would I have to engage a contractor, etc... He just replied "if there's no bathroom then you can't live there".