Lynn

No problem glad to help.

I am pretty certain that Nationwide changed the policy wording following a FOS decision that Buildings Insurers were liable for the damage as a consequence of emergency services breaking into a property. They may have updated the policy but existing policyholders should not have to wait until renewal to benefit from this change in wording.

Huckster

'Huckster', thanks again for your info & trouble! Success! after challenging 'not covered' for claim & armed with this info detailing Section 19 of standard Buildings insurance, technical team has now agreed to cover repair or replacement door. Policy terms & cond. have recently been amended BUT apparently (as you so rightly pointed out) do not cover existing policies until renewal date! Estimate(s) required & photo showing evidence of damage but fingers-crossed should be paid out in full, minus £50 buildings excess. Thanks again (this forum's really worthwhile!)

Lynn

I have cut and pasted this from the Nationwide policy wording. This covered as standard under Buildings.


19 Emergency access to buildings
You are covered for the reasonable cost of repairing damage to your
buildings which form part of the home, caused when the fire brigade,
the police or the ambulance service have to make a forced entry
because of an emergency to you.
You are not covered for:
• any buildings excess


It is possible that Nationwide have already amended the policy wording and therefore they should apply this. I think it is normal practice of most Insurers, when updating policy wordings in this way, to give existing policy holder the benefit of the change.

I think before you write, I would phone them again and ask them to explain why they have refused claim. Perhaps the person last spoken to made a mistake.

Huckster

Thanks for your response. It was daughter & family's home; policy with 'Nationwide' (unsure of policy name) She's been told there are plans to amend some policies to add this kind of cover but not until next January! Sadly, no accidental damage cover but as it was a deliberate break-in & not 'accidental', insurance company would probably refute that!

We'll certainly be asking more questions & will write a complaint to insurance co., & mention referral to FOS as you suggest. Any further advice will be welcomed.

Hi

Which Insurance company are you with? What is the policy called? Do you have Accidental Damage cover?

Some policies will provide cover if emergency services have to break in or will cover under Accidental Damage.

If you post back, I may be able to advise further. You should submit a written complaint to the Insurance company and advise them that you want to refer this to the FOS. The Insurance company will be charged £450 by the FOS, even if your complaint in rejected. The Insurance company may therefore decide to look at your claim again and make an ex-gratia payment towards the damage, even if not technically covered by the policy.

Huckster

No-one at home so neighbour called 999 on hearing smoke alarm. Firemen saw smoke coming from oven grill & broke front door lock & surround to gain entry. Thankfully, no further fire damage at all due to quick emergency treatment BUT insurance company won't pay out for damage to door, saying this isn't covered under buildings or contents insurance! If they hadn't broken in, there would have been much more fire & smoke damage. Our family can't believe this ridiculous insurance farce!