Fire caused by stupidity and insurance

[PricklyFoot]

So,

BBQ ash not quite cold when disposed of close to a shed.

Fire started during the night, so no one realised at the time.

Destruction, shed owned by BBQer, fence, neighbour's shed and some trees. Both sheds are garden shed type construction but used as workshop/utility with freezer/washing machine and tools.

Would any of this be covered on a standard insurance policy? Would BBQer's insurance cover both shed or would neighbour's be expected to claim on their own.

It's honestly not me, I'm trying to sooth a friend....

If I was neighbours absolutely I would expect the person who hadn't put out the bbq properly and stored in next to a wooden building insurance to pay!

Me too. The neighbour would need to contact their own insurers who will try and claim the money off the neighbours.

Neighbour will (and should) expect BBQer or BBQer's insurance to pay.

Neighbour will claim on the home owners insurance. Why on earth would they claim on their own insurance.

Person who carelessly caused the fire pays for their neighbours damage.

Some home insurance cover includes accidental damage. Best to dig out the policy of the home owner and see what is covered. Neighbour should not be claiming on their own policy and losing any no-claim discount in the process if this accident was not their fault.

I don't know, but I think I've heard before that it has to be done through the homeowner's insurance, probably as PP says, their company would then claim against the "arsonist".

Friend knows it's their responsibility but is stressing about the practicalities of getting it sorted

We had this last summer, garden at the back fire started in their shed, spread to several gardens. Each house claimed on their own insurance. We presumed we would claim off the persons insurance where the fire started, but that was not the case

Accidental fire is covered, it's less clear whether sheds being used in this way will be covered

Think the only problem might be with what the shed was used for, so if a wooden shed a fridge or washing machine probably wouldn't be covered, also certain other things wouldn't be covered unless it has specific insurance.

Yes, this is my concern.

Surely they don't have to do anything? They contact their own insurers and tell neighbours who they are insured with so they can supply this to their insurers? Am assuming all the white goods are banjaxed?

Yes, I thought I'd heard something like that before

Sorry cross post. My garden shed is covered for bikes and mowers, my summer house has different insurance and computers and that are covered, my other shed, doesn't cover my extra fridge and freezer.

Yes, so far friend has just contacted their own insurance and is waiting for further advice/instructions. The concern is if it's not all covered or causes lots of admin for neighbours.

Something similar happened to my parents - they had to claim on their own insurance - both insurers (theirs and the neighbours who had caused the fire) confirmed this to them.

Yes, I had a feeling there was something like this, although in neighbours' shoes I'd be feeling like earlier posters

Everyone has to claim on their own home insurance. It seems counter intuitive and that it should be like car insurance (which I guess more of us have experience claiming with) but it is your own insurance that covers your property. Neighbours’ home insurance won’t cover anyone else’s property, even if damage is their fault.