Sharp rise in building insurance complaints

 

March 19, 2008

According to a recent report there has been a sharp rise in the level of building insurance related complaints. Turbulent weather has been blamed for the rise in building insurance related complaints, which have risen by a third according to figures relating to the number of complaints made to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Recent bad weather has included the tremendous storms from last summer, a tornado that hit late last year, and also more recent stormy weather.

The bad weather conditions invariably led to a rise in the number of claims being made, and insurance companies were hit for huge amounts in claims last year as a result of poor weather conditions causing damage to homes.

However, the rise in the level of claims has also led to a rise in the level of complaints relating to buildings insurance. There were 2516 complaints made to the FOS relating to this type of insurance cover last year, compared to 1908 complaints in the previous year.

One official from the FOS stated: ‘The majority of claims are being handled well. The biggest issue we are seeing in relation to storms are problems with repairs rather than the whole claim being refused. However, there is a steady stream of cases where firms have turned down claims on the basis that there was no storm at the time the damage occurred, or where it is agreed that there was a storm but the evidence indicates that it did not cause or contribute to the damage claimed for.’

She added: ‘The message to consumers is to be realistic. Just because your house was damaged in a storm does not mean that is an excuse to do the whole house up.’

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Written by admin · Filed Under Home Insurance, Insurance 

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