Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

[Ess]

Hello everybody, I'm just browsing the postings hoping to find any information and advice regards my 21mtr retaining drive wall that collapsed in December 2010 which will cost betwee £5,000/£7,000 to put right. Lloyds TSB are trying everything not to settle my claim and seem to move the goalposts whenever they can. I have complained officially to Lloyds TSB H.O. resulting in a letter after four weeks "still considering claim" and another after eight weeks saying "still can't decide." I know I can complain to the FOS now eight weeks has elapsed but I feel that Lloyds TSB want me to do that so the FOS can decide for them. If I can not find any advice browsing here then I will return with more detailed info and ask the brilliant advisors on this site for their opinions. Thank you

[Celestine]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

What caused the wall to collapse?

What circumstances make it such a 'tricksy' claim for LTSB to decide?

Welcome to Legal Beagles btw! :beagle:

[Ess]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Hi Celestine, Thanks for taking time to reply.
When we first reported the wall had collapsed before anybody had even looked at the wall from Lloyds TSB, they dismissed the claim out of hand saying that it was 'frost' that caused the collapse and not insured for 'frost' ...end of story! They didn't even offer to send anybody to see. We rang back and complained (Direct Group Property Services) to the agency who handles the claims. They sent Assessor round (Rameses) who included in report that it was NOT frost that was to blame. They basically went on quoting todays building regulations. I pointed out that the bungalow and wall were built in 1965 and todays building regulations didn't apply (how could they) 45 years ago. They went on listing what hadn't been used building the original wall, eg, no drainage hole along wall, (the wall was literally a pile of rubble when assessor saw it and couldn't know if or if there wasn't drainage holes. They asked for an independent report by a builder of my choice; I sent them a short report by the builder who attended to make the wall safe and included in his report that there were, in fact, drainage holes completely along the base of th wall. The Direct Group Property Services said that 'Rameses' were experienced assessors and repudiated my claim, hence my complaint to Lloyds TSB who are still 'undecided' after eight weeks of my initial complaint.

[Caspar]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

What a nightmare for you. Have to say I'd be inclined to contact someone like Watchdog over this - it's a big company and the sort of thing they may relish if enough other people have complained.

[WendyB]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

So why did it collapse? If it was just because it was old and past it's sell by date, for want of a better expression, they probably won't pay, I would have thought. They won't pay out if the cause of the collapse is lack of maintenance or similar.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

So why did it collapse? If it was just because it was old and past it's sell by date, for want of a better expression, they probably won't pay, I would have thought. They won't pay out if the cause of the collapse is lack of maintenance or similar.

Or anything else for that matter?

[Ess]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

It's suggested by my builder that the bad December weather snow etc, may have seeped through the block paving and snow melt and overwhelmed the wall causing my car to sink slightly, gradually pressing the drive down and pressing and bending the wall outwards. Prior to this the wall did not look in a state of disrepair.

[Ess]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

I have just received a "final response" letter from Lloyds TSB repudiating my claim, basically stating todays building regulations which somehow they link with my wall/bungalow that was built 45 years ago!

Anyway, if anyone could advise me if it would make any difference to anything if I cancelled my useless insurance policy now as it seems to be a complete waste of money or best to keep the policy running until I have been in touch with the FOS? I begrudge every penny I hand over to Lloyds TSB, the reason I have insurance is for unexpected disasters like this...seems very one-sided to me...collect premium paymants but don't pay out...bitter...?...Very!

Thanks to anyone who has offered advice and anyone taking an interest.

[MIKE770]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Hope my wall don!t collapse it was built in 1937 wonder if to to-days Regulations/standards? Contact FOS for starters giving all the details and responses I would suggest.

What about the Great Wall of China? built to to-days Regulations??

LLoyds seem to be heading for disaster the way they operate.

[Ess]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Hi Mike770,

Thanks for your comments.

What I thought was a simple straightforward claim has turned out to be a complete

nightmare thanks to Lloyds TSB.

Took nearly 5 months to get to this stage; trouble is because it's a retaining wall it

has to be rebuilt and also it's a good job my neighbour is an understanding soul

because the rubble had been on her drive since it collapsed and being unable to

remove it because the rubble was the only support the drive had.

The builder has been working on it today regardless of who is paying as I can't

leave it any longer.

I am having to take a loan out to pay him.

Thanks again Mike and thanks again Lloyds TSB...NOT!

[MIKE770]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Ess,

Make a formal complaint to FOS, this is not good enough, do not let them get away with it if possible., at least try!!

[Ess]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Cheers Mike770,

I have already been in touch with the FOS this afternoon and they are sending the forms off to

me. Hopefully they can do something for me.

I don't think Lloyds TSB had any intention right from the start of settling my claim and

Direct Property Services (claim agents for Lloyds TSB) were like

dealing with wheel clampers after they have clamped your car!

Thanks for your support, much appreciated.

[Ess]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Can anybody advise me if it would make any difference to anything if I cancelled my useless insurance policy now as it seems to be a complete waste of money or is it best to keep the policy running until the FOS has made a decision?

Read more at: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim - Legal Beagles Consumer Forum

[pompeyfaith]

Re: Hello everybody Re Lloyds TSB Building Insurance Claim

Ess,

The policy was in force at the time of the wall collapsing, however to be on the side of safe I would give the FOS another call in the morning and seek there advice on this point as they will now be the ones investigating your claim.

Regards