I own a flat in a converted house of 4 and we have building's insurance with 4 policy holders including me. A couple of months ago there was a leak from my flat to the one below resulting in some damage to lights and a ceiling. When it happened the people below me said they'd contact me to discuss what to do next.
I've been handed an estimate this week (dated January) for roughly £600 (repair to lights, redecorated ceiling). Some of the work has actually already been done.
Am I right in thinking the insurers should have been informed BEFORE any work was done?
Because they weren't, and supposing the insurers refuse the claim, what recourse would the flat owner below me have to recover the money from me? He has not informed me of what the damage was prior to commencing repairs or what the cost would be, and has not informed the insurers.
If the point of buildings insurance is to cover repairs that would otherwise be too costly to meet from your own pocket then it seems to me as though he has assumed a) that I would simply hand over a cheque without questioning the amount (and I suspect I may be being overcharged and the amount is a "creative" estimate), and b) that I actually have £600 of my own money to cover it, which I don't. So what could he do if the insurance is refused because he hasn't followed the procedure?
(as an aside - I know that the estimate he has provided me with is legally dodgy, if it were to be submitted to an insurer, but I assume that as we're all policy holders, we'd all be in trouble for submitting it and not just him?)
Any thoughts?
I've been handed an estimate this week (dated January) for roughly £600 (repair to lights, redecorated ceiling). Some of the work has actually already been done.
Am I right in thinking the insurers should have been informed BEFORE any work was done?
Because they weren't, and supposing the insurers refuse the claim, what recourse would the flat owner below me have to recover the money from me? He has not informed me of what the damage was prior to commencing repairs or what the cost would be, and has not informed the insurers.
If the point of buildings insurance is to cover repairs that would otherwise be too costly to meet from your own pocket then it seems to me as though he has assumed a) that I would simply hand over a cheque without questioning the amount (and I suspect I may be being overcharged and the amount is a "creative" estimate), and b) that I actually have £600 of my own money to cover it, which I don't. So what could he do if the insurance is refused because he hasn't followed the procedure?
(as an aside - I know that the estimate he has provided me with is legally dodgy, if it were to be submitted to an insurer, but I assume that as we're all policy holders, we'd all be in trouble for submitting it and not just him?)
Any thoughts?