To think they could just pay for the sink?

[kitchenemergency]

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?

[sonandhelpneeded]

Classic case of the "computer says no", no one at the insurers is thinking logically!

Mind you be done of the responses on here, if it was sent via email then they may not have read it correctly!

[DGRossetti]

I shouldn't be, but still am, shocked by the level of dishomesty surrounding insurance.

Don't worry. We all pay for it It's not the insurers that lose.

[Cleo18]

To be clear - because you have to be on MN - I am not accusing anyone of dishonesty - I am merely making a general point.

[Cleo18]

The objective is to dissuade people from having "little accidents" like the previous poster mentioned.

If all you were going to get out of it was months of disruption and your old sink back - what would be the point of cheating. If you have a small flood but get shiny new sink, new worktops and a whole new colour scheme - it might just be worth it. That's why, in the bigger picture, it is not cheaper for the insurer to simply replace the sink.

I shouldn't be, but still am, shocked by the level of dishomesty surrounding insurance.

[ArchbishopOfBanterbury]

If you've bought the sink, what's to stop the installers installing it? They can itemise it as "install sink" - why do the insurers need to know it's the new one and not the old?

[DGRossetti]

DGRossetti the contractors were appointed by the insurance company, so I've not obtained any quotes.

So probably the cheapest acceptable

[LaurieMarlow]

It's probably to do with the underlying principles of the coverage.

It makes sense to not replace things that aren't broken. And there needs to be consistency in their approach.

In this particular instance, a replacement is cheaper than refitting but that would not always be the case.

Better to have a clear consistent policy and avoid setting problematic precedents. In this particular case the decision might seem illogical, but they'll be focusing on the overall implications, rather than one individual case.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

It's not just a case of the old sink is fine. It's a lot harder to refit a 'used' sink well than it is to instal a new sink. Plus the cost of putting the old sink back is actually higher than replacing it with new

What's to bet that despite you saying this three times now OP that people will still be saying 'just buy the sink' (which you have) by page 6?

Will just 'buy the sink' be the new 'cancel the cheque'?

[BunsOfAnarchy]

Id just pay for new sink (as you have) and be done with.

[kitchenemergency]

M00rfarm, I've not had £200, it doesn't get paid to me. Any monies go direct to the contractor as all dealing are direct between them and insurer.

[kitchenemergency]

Nikkylou I think you are spot on, I am sure the insurers are just looking at the extra cost of the new item and not at the actual figures. I've bought the sink and tap now anyway.

DGRossetti the contractors were appointed by the insurance company, so I've not obtained any quotes. The insurers just use one contractor from their panel of 3 in my area (the other 2 contractors on the panel were previously involved but kicked off the job, but that's another story!)

[m00rfarm]

I’ve not misunderstood. The insurance company will pay the amount of 200. The op has purchased a new sink. What’s not to understand?

[BlueJava]

I don't think I'd be making a fuss - I'd simply buy my own new sink and taps!

[DGRossetti]

The contractor isn't saying it can't be refitted. Only that it isn't quick or easy to refit it well.

Is that all the contractors that quoted, or just one ?

We had a succession of contractors tell us something "wasn't possible" when we had our heating fitted. Turned out it was, just a bit more work (which we paid for without complaint). 16 years later, it's still working perfectly.

[nikkylou]

I can kind of see how it's more expensive to refit an old one.

The time (and therefore money) in taking it all out properly without damaging it could cost more than a basic new sink. The alternative removal method being disconnect the water and rip it out in a much less delicate manner...

But I can also see how the insurer won't see it

The bill might look like:
Removal of old kitchen and sink x 8 hours labour - £800
Refit new kitchen and old sink x 4 hours - £400
Etc.
Or
Removal of kitchen x 6 hours - £600
Install kitchen and new sink x 4 -£400
New sink - £100
Etc.
All the insurer may see is the "extra" 100 On the sink but not the £200 saving on the labour. So they say, no new sink...

Just let them get on with it, unless you are particularly keen on getting a new one, in which case buy it yourself to save the hassle.

Will the contractors fit a new sink at your request and bill it to the insurer in how they want. So everyone gets what they want. You get a new sink, the insurer gets a saving and on paper believes you didn't get a new sink?

[kitchenemergency]

I'm not claiming anything. The contractors were engaged by the insurance co not by me and no money is being paid to me.

[oh4forkssake]

Goodness me. Claiming you have whiplash when you don't is grabby. And the number of people who asked me if I was going to claim for "extras" when we were burgled absolutely astonished me but this is plain common or garden sense!! The labour involved in refitting something like this is certainly in excess of a new one.

I get where the insurance company is coming from but YANBU OP. The insurance company are being silly.

And without knowing the background, it very much sounds like you weren't doing this renovation project for fun!!

[cdtaylornats]

You have to be careful here - if you pay for a replacement sink that costs less and still claim for the £200 they offered then you could be guilty of insurance fraud.

[Nanalisa60]

But you are wright insurance companies are sometimes very odd!!

[Nanalisa60]

I would just pay the £200 to get the kitchen I wanted!!

[Blobby10]

Insurers always a maze me with their lack of logic tbh. YANBU OP!

[Regnamechanger]

I'm wondering if people actually read what Op posted. Very odd replies. She's trying to save the insurers money.

[kitchenemergency]

The contractor isn't saying it can't be refitted. Only that it isn't quick or easy to refit it well. The existing sink has been in situ for some time and is thoroughly silicone sealed, all of which would need to be removed before it could be refitted which is time consuming no?

[Travis1]

I'm actually howling at the up in arms folk about OP being grabby for wanting the insurers to pay for something which costs less than the cost already approved.

YANBU OP here's hoping your kitchen is sorted soon.

[Honeyroar]

Quite agree - you've got a lazy or useless contractor. We've refitted plenty of things, including sinks.