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Original poster

Would you claim a 1k roofing bill on your home insurance?

20 replies

IcelandicVolcanoes · 10/04/2021 18:09

I just need to chat this over but don’t have anyone IRL!

I have to get my roof repaired. I’ve had 3 quotes but I found the cheapest company a bit of a hassle to deal with (missed initial appointment and were late for the 2nd, plus didn’t get a good vibe).

I’ve got 1k on my credit card already but could put it on there.

I dislike having so much debt but needs must.

Or would you claim through home insurance? My parents were always deeply suspicious of doing this so I’ve always viewed it as a last report.

I’m very grateful for any advice.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 10/04/2021 18:18

Unless something has happened to damage the roof then I doubt that home insurance would cover it anyway. They don't cover wear and tear

Original poster

IcelandicVolcanoes · 10/04/2021 18:18

It was storm damage, so I thought it would be covered?

OP posts:

Ahbahbahbah · 10/04/2021 18:21

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go through insurance? Are you worried about your premiums going up? Surely they wouldn’t go up by £1000?

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dementedpixie · 10/04/2021 18:22

If it was storm damage then yes that would be covered. I'd claim then

Original poster

IcelandicVolcanoes · 10/04/2021 18:33

My parents had very strong views about insurance claims for some reason!

OP posts:

BigBlueDog · 10/04/2021 18:36

" I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go through insurance? Are you worried about your premiums going up? Surely they wouldn’t go up by £1000?"
What is the excess on your insurance?
If it's one hundred then probably worth claiming on your insurance, if it's five hundred, then probably not.
Having said that I've never made a claim so don't really know if you make a claim for one thousand, will you pay that back over the next 5 to 10 years in higher premiums.

Original poster

IcelandicVolcanoes · 10/04/2021 18:38

It’s £500. IDK whether it would be worth it or not. I really hate the idea of having £2k on my credit card, but needs must I suppose.

OP posts:

GreyhoundG1rl · 10/04/2021 18:40

Will the insurance cover an entire roof replacement, or just the damaged part?

GappyValley · 10/04/2021 18:43

I probably wouldn’t claim through insurance if I had other means of paying, because the excess plus the increased premiums for 5 years would be more than £1k

MixedUpFiles · 10/04/2021 18:46

Do not put such a small claim on your insurance. After you pay your deductible they will barely cover anything and it will increase your rates. Even if you have no deductible, that is a pittance of a repair cost and not worth raising your risk rating.

monkehsee · 10/04/2021 18:57

@IcelandicVolcanoes

My parents had very strong views about insurance claims for some reason!

I may be missing something but isn't the point of having insurance so you can claim in the event of damage?? What's the point in having it otherwise?

PattyPan · 10/04/2021 19:09

I personally wouldn’t put such a small claim on the insurance given your excess is £500 anyway, the impact on your insurance for the next few years would be disproportionate. But if you have to go into debt to pay it otherwise and will be able to absorb the cost of increased insurance premiums more easily, then that sounds like it could be a better option for your circumstances.

Original poster

IcelandicVolcanoes · 10/04/2021 19:34

Thank you. Lots to consider.

OP posts:

GappyValley · 10/04/2021 19:59

I may be missing something but isn't the point of having insurance so you can claim in the event of damage??
What's the point in having it otherwise?

You have to pay an excess for all claims
In OP’s case, it is the first £500 of the claim

And then you have to declare it as a previous claim for the next 5 years which makes your annual premium more expensive

So a cost of £1000 claimed back through insurance could well end up costing you a lot more once you add up all the extra insurance costs for the next few years

Hellocatshome · 10/04/2021 20:01

Even with storm damage be prepared for them to quibble about it. We had storm damage to our roof but they decided due to the age of the roof it would be classed as wear and tear anyway!

katmarie · 10/04/2021 20:04

We had storm damage to our roof but the insurance company refused the claim because the storm wasn't big enough for their parameters. So don't assume they will pay out anyway.

notagainmummy · 10/04/2021 20:05

Of course claim. Its what it's there for. Yes you will have a slight increase in premiums for the future but much cheaper than £1K

Apileofballyhoo · 10/04/2021 20:06

Depends what rate of interest you're paying on your credit card too, I suppose - though looks like you'd have to put £500 on that anyway?

monkehsee · 10/04/2021 20:31

@GappyValley

I may be missing something but isn't the point of having insurance so you can claim in the event of damage?? What's the point in having it otherwise?

You have to pay an excess for all claims
In OP’s case, it is the first £500 of the claim

And then you have to declare it as a previous claim for the next 5 years which makes your annual premium more expensive

So a cost of £1000 claimed back through insurance could well end up costing you a lot more once you add up all the extra insurance costs for the next few years

I know that, my reply was to her saying that her parents have strong views against making insurance claims. Which kind of defeats the purpose of having insurance

fiorentina · 10/04/2021 20:43

We had damage and leaks from a storm but the insurance wouldn’t pay for roof repairs as they said it was ‘wear and tear’. We then claimed for accidental damage to the interior replastering/painting/floor but they wouldn’t pay for the roof.

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