Will insurance reject claim?

[Maenie]

New to the site. I'm a homeowner and I have no knowledge about plumbing, so thought someone else may be able to advise?

In the early hours of Monday morning I had a leak under my kitchen sink. I think the noise must have woken me, so it thankfully I was able to get my father in law over to switch off the water within half an hour of discovering the leak, however there is still damage to kitchen cabinets. I have emergency cover add-on with my home insurance, and a plumber came out and fixed the issue on Monday. The plumber mentioned that it may not be worth claiming anything for the damage. The cabinet beneath the sink could definitely do with being replaced, however the plumber mentioned that would only be £60 or so, and given my escape of water excess, and the impact any claim would have on future premiums, he seemed to think it wouldn't be worth claiming. Today I have noticed there is also some damage (expanded due to water) to the outside of the cabinet next to the sink. The door of the cabinet with the leak, and the one next to it, have water damage on the inside of the doors - they have expanded along the bottom where they have got wet, but the damage isn't visible from the outside. The plumber mentioned he didn't think the doors would be replaced by the insurer. I have no idea how much water has ended up underneath the cabinets and dishwasher. The dishwasher door is difficult to open today due to the cabinet next to it expanding due to water (and can't be easily pulled out - I'd need to remove floor tiles to get it out - it was like this when we bought the house).

I'm wondering whether it is worth getting the insurers to come out and assess the damage, but I'm also wondering if they will reject the claim due to the apparent rust on the pipe that burst. My policy states I'm not covered for "any damage that occurs over time as a result of normal use or ageing including fading, corrosion, rusting, damp, decay, frost, fungus, mould, condensation or deterioration".

I've attached an image - should this have been an obvious sign that my pipes needed replacing? Also, should they have rusted at all? My father in law mentioned he thought they should have been stainless steel.

 

[rpm]

The insurer will say that the flexi was badly fitted and under strain due to the sharp elbow. The flexis are a rubber hose with a S/S braided covering but then there is both high and low grades of S/S and rust is a sign of leakage.
Would check every tap and shower connection in the house and have them all replaced.

 

[steadyon]

1. Agree with rpm. Although the braiding is stainless steel (S/S) it will get some rust on it if exposed to water for any length of time.
2. As rpm suggests, get all flexi hoses replaced by someone who knows what he / she is doing so they aren't but under stress.
3. The rust mark on the underside of the sink suggests the flexi has been rubbing on the sink. May well have worn through the braiding and then the rubber.
4. With many insurers, even mentioning the possibility of a claim will increase next year's premium, even if you don't proceed with the claim.
5. You need to check with the cabinets / doors in your kitchen are still available, otherwise you'll be looking at replacing the whole kitchen or putting up with something odd looking.

 

[Maenie]

I've checked and the bathroom sink looks ok, but will get someone to come and check bath, shower and everything properly. We had a slow drip from the kitchen tap about 6 years ago and had HomeServe plumbing cover at the time so they came out and replaced the kitchen taps, so I wonder if they installed incorrectly. I guess my ignorance of plumbing isn't a valid excuse for missing the rusting on the flexi hoses

The cupboards are old style Ikea cabinets which are no longer made and aren't compatible with the new style Ikea cabinets, so I won't be able to replace the doors, but the plumber who came on Monday seemed to think the cabinets themselves are all fairly standard sizes across retailers so I could possibly just change the cabinets behind and keep the water damaged doors for now - but that would still require removing worktop and some significant work, so might be time for a new kitchen. I do have 'matching sets' cover on my policy, but doesn't sound like it is even worth getting them out to assess the damage.

 

[rpm]

Might not have to remove the worktop if screws are removed and the adjustable legs shortened one cabinet at a time can be removed. Doors and drawer fronts can be sprayed or wrapped now as well so may not cost a full arm and a leg.

 

[PETE 123]

Some time a go a customer had a leak they had been with there insurance co for around 20 yrs, they came round and offered her about £30 (cheek) i said get a claims assessor they got a new kitchen.

 

[Gasmk1]

Just claim there is two answers yes we will pay or no not covered

 

[exedon2]

We spent over 10 years subcontracting to a specialist Insurance contractor. Dealing with loss adjusters was a almost everyday thing . From what I saw the people who often got the best result from there Insurance company employed a loss assessor to handle there claims. From what I understood the cost of the assessor was paid out of claim.

 

[oz-plumber]

Just put a claim in.
Who knows, you might end up with a new kitchen.

 

[gpbeck]

Similarly to the cabinets, if your dishwasher legs were adjusted to lower the dishwasher, it would then lift out onto the tiled floor.

 

[gpbeck]

If you try to claim, and the insurer refuses but increases premium, you could just change insurer since you would have no claim to declare.

 

[Chuck]

If you try to claim, and the insurer refuses but increases premium, you could just change insurer since you would have no claim to declare.

Strictly speaking, you would have an incident and an unsuccessful claim. Whether you need to declare this or not would depend on what the insurer asked on their proposal form.

I don't like flexible connector, I suggest you get them replaced with old-school copper even if you have to pay a bit extra.