I agree with the advice Huckster has given you.

Your obviously with a broker as the Key Elite was a broker only policy (I remember the policy well). Have a word with your broker and explain your circumstances eg its not practical moving the furniture and you would rather use the local company. Your broker (Its what you pay the broker for) should be able to ring their Aviva local rep and explain the situation and either get them to agree the local suppliers price or more likely some kind of cash settlement.

Gillebean:Can I insist on the original supplier? BTW the policy was new for old accidental cover.

No you can't insist on the original supplier. Ask your Insurers for a cash settlement so you can use your own company and fitters.

The firm they used Independent Inspections are used by most major Insurers and I would expect that the quality of the carpet they have established it as being is correct. They do alot of business with Allied Carpets and the other big chains, so can get very good prices, which may explain the difference in price.

In this situation if the Insurers agreed to the cash settlement, which they should, you should negotiate the price of the carpet with your supplier. I would think if there is £70 difference, ask for £35 off if they want the business, as you don't mind paying £35 extra for removing furniture etc.

On the ombudsmans site there is some information regarding cash settlement. The Insurers are not allowed to apply any discount to the claim on the basis that they would have negotiated this from their own suppliers. The carpet they have advised is £70 cheaper must be of the same quality, to the one that was damaged. Have a read of the FOS site, so you can mention to Insurers, if they are being difficult about a cash settlement. The following link contains a case re a carpet. http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/75/75-household-insurance.html

Hope this helps.

Huckster

I suspect they can insist on their "approved" suppliers - but normally the supplier will use self employed carpet fitters - I find that a few quid "cash in hand" to the fitters usually suffices for them to move heavy items of furniture out and dispose of the old carpet.

Hi all, Here is my problem. I recently have had to make a claim on my home insurance policy which I have been with for over 20yrs (originally C.U Elite Key Plan which was twice taken over but I was assured under the same terms & conditions,so it's now Aviva) with only one minor claim over 10yrs ago.

My recent claim is for my daughters bedroom carpet ( a carpet which is matched and fitted throughout the house) she spill t hot leg wax over it (GRRRRRRRRRRR teenage kids).

The Insurance company ( Aviva) sent a specialist cleaning company in from Chemdry but the carpet was deemed ruined.Next they sent in somebody from a company called Independent Inspections Ltd to evaluate the cost of replacement.

My problems are these.

1. I would like to use the original company who fitted the carpet (they still have the original fitter who fitted the carpet working for them).The inspector told me I had to use one of their approved suppliers.

2.When I had the original carpet fitted they removed and replaced the furniture from the room and disposed of the old carpet,the assessor told me I would have to do this,I'm too old for that.

3. The value the assessor puts on the claim using suppliers like Carpetright,B&Q,Carpets4less and other establishments I'd NEVER frequent is about £70 different from the original supplier,who WILL removed and replace the furniture and dispose of the ruined carpet.

Can I insist on the original supplier ? BTW the policy was new for old accidental cover.