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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they could just pay for the sink?

54 replies

kitchenemergency · 09/12/2018 22:33

To cut a v long story short following a (fairly ineptly handled) insurance claim I am getting a new kitchen. So the whole room has been plastered and redecorated, all new cupboards, worktop, splashbacks etc. My appliances are the existing ones but that's fine as all are in good working order.

The contractors advised my insurers that although there was no damage to my sink or taps, by the time they are disconnected and reconnected and all the sealant properly stripped and redone it would be quicker and cheaper to give me a new sink.

My insurers have refused.

So despite spending £££s on the new kitchen, plus the cost of storing all the contents for over 6 months AND the very expensive temporary alternative they have given me, they're arguing over £200 odd for a new sink and tap!

AIBU to think this is crazy and they really should just cough for the cost?

OP posts:
Prisonbreak · 09/12/2018 22:51

That’s not how insurance works. They cover the cost of what’s ruined/damaged/broken etc. If they ‘cough up’ another £200 on a sink for you then why not ‘cough up’ on extras for other people claiming. This would result in premiums going up year by year.
You have a sink that isn’t damaged.. you want a new one? You buy it

itswinetime · 09/12/2018 22:57

No they shouldn't you have a functioning sink if they want to pay the extra to replace it that's the right thing if you want a new sink with your brand new kitchen that's a choice you have to pay. They are not responsible for things that aren't damaged! I don't see how reconnecting and sealing the old sink is more expensive than buying a new sink connecting and sealing it?

Drogosnextwife · 09/12/2018 22:58

Don't be greedy!

RJnomore1 · 09/12/2018 23:00

But it's costing them more money than a new one! That's insane.

FearLoveAndTheTimeMachine · 09/12/2018 23:00

Is this a joke?

Original poster
kitchenemergency · 09/12/2018 23:30

Why would it be a joke?

The existing sink has to be disconnected and all the sealant stripped. It will take a good couple of hours according to the building contractors to get the sealant off and this can never be done 100% so there is a risk the sink won't sit properly flush to the worktop. Or leak and damage worktop or cupboards below.

I do understand how insurance works. However I also understand economics. The cost in dispute is maybe 1% of the total cost of the claim. And in reality it's going to be no cheaper to reinstall the existing sink than give me a new one. So their maths is flawed.

OP posts:
trojanpony · 09/12/2018 23:47

Good grief...
The time and effort it’s going to take for it to be denied you honestly might as well just cough up the cash for the sink. The cost is peanuts vs the kitchen.
I got a franke one and Grohe tap for about £140 total

trojanpony · 09/12/2018 23:48

And in reality it's going to be no cheaper to reinstall the existing sink

I think it’s your maths that’s is flawed...
it’s def cheaper to simply refit an existing product than to buy and fit a replacement

Original poster
kitchenemergency · 10/12/2018 00:25

I'm told the cost of removal and storage of sink to include taking all the sealant off is being billed at £200 (which has been approved). As against a new sink and tap at approx £150-190 (which has not been approved).

OP posts:
Original poster
kitchenemergency · 10/12/2018 07:15

Just to add fwiw I have now bought a new sink and tap (because on the contractors advice I don't want the old ones leaking and damaging the new kitchen). However I do feel insurers should have covered that cost.

OP posts:
myusernamewastakenbyme · 10/12/2018 08:33

Wow how grabby are you Op !!!

ViragoKnows · 10/12/2018 08:35

YANBU

sackrifice · 10/12/2018 08:38

Wow how grabby are you Op !!!

It isn't grabby to point out the flaw in their maths that would have saved them money.

BloodyBosch · 10/12/2018 08:41

Ffs the op is NOT asking for anything extra 🤦‍♀️ She is saying the insurers would rather pay more £ to remove, and then put the old sink back in than LESS £ to just put a new one in. Her point is that it is nonsensical.
At least read properly before abusing people!

Alfie190 · 10/12/2018 08:42

No they should not have covered the cost.

FrankIncensed · 10/12/2018 08:50

I am with you OP, I am laughing at the suggestion that you are driving up insurance premiums by trying to SAVE the insurers money! I think it's a case of computer says no with insurance companies and no one putting some common sense to the issue.

Also having seen some large insurance claims in my previous life (auditing) and what companies get paid out to them in a claim, I can assure you the OPs £200 sink is not what is driving up insurance premiums.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 10/12/2018 08:50

It does seem pretty counter productive to insist that they keep the old sink even though it would be cheaper for them to replace it.

I think this is one of those cases where doing it by the book means they are cutting their nose off to spite their face. A little like when schools are strictly told to purchase things from suppliers even though they could get them cheaper elsewhere.

I can see your confusion, it all sounds very illogical... Hmm

Firesuit · 10/12/2018 08:55

I think they are probably being a bit savvy. If the new sink wasn't better, the OP wouldn't care. Since she does care, most people in her position would just buy the new sink themselves, if they say no, saving the insurance company £200.

Or more likely, it's just the principle.

Firesuit · 10/12/2018 08:56

The savings to them are insignificant, it's not worth their time to think about it.

Bluntness100 · 10/12/2018 08:59

But they have to buy the sink, install the sink, and the sink is fine, they won't buy you a new one when th first one is perfectly fine, that's not how it works.

ErinDittme · 10/12/2018 08:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 10/12/2018 09:04

If the cost has been approved can you just do a deal with the contractors and ask them to buy you a new sink or get the cash to do so? The insurers will be giving them the money to refit the old one?

JurassicAdventure · 10/12/2018 09:12

We had this with a bathroom, sadly when the builder was removing the cracked toilet he accidentally dropped his hammer through the matching (mustard yellow) sink so the whole suite needed replacing. Very sad. Apparently accidents like this happen all the time.

Ballbags · 10/12/2018 09:18

No they shouldn't have given you a new sink. We had a new kitchen (plus entire ground floor repainted) due to a fire but the sink was fine so we kept it! If it's "only" £200 then you buy it if you are that bothered.

m00rfarm · 10/12/2018 09:26

SO what is the issue. You have been "paid" 200, and bought the item yourself. Weird.

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