Hey
Last year we were having electrical work done at home through our energy supplier.
Long story short, the electrician caused a fire to start upstairs, it spread to the attic room and roof. Fire brigade put it out but the upstairs was wrecked and we had to move out. The contractor admitted full liability, as did our energy supplier who said it would be easier to claim on our own home insurance rather than going through theirs. Our insurance firm confirmed with them that they were fully liable as the 3rd party.
7 months later we were able to move back home, everything was sorted out, new roof and upstairs, whole house redecorated etc etc. We got compensation for distress from the energy supplier as well.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I got a letter from the insurance Co, (we have since changed insurance provider.)
The energy company have ignored all their requests to pay them for the claim, and the insurance has appointed solicitors to get the money (think it's about 140k) I didn't think anymore of it but then I got a bundle of papers to sign from the solicitors - the legal action is in my name against the energy supplier, and there was heaps of stuff about if the claim fails I have to pay all the legal costs. The papers don't even mention the insurance firm. I called them to discuss and they said its a routine clause in insurance policies that the householder has to provide assistance in order to recover 3rd party costs kn cases like mine.
I haven't signed yet as I'm very confused as to why it has to be done in my name, and all the stuff about legal fees. The person I spoke to at the solicitors said that they didn't think it would go to court and if it did I might not have to give evidence?!!
Any legal eagles on here or insurance people who can help? Very stressed out with all this, as far as we were concerned the claim was all sorted. This has brought it all back again.
Thanks if you've read this far!