Radiator leak - will claiming put my premiums up?

[Lastyearsmodel]

Our biggest radiator sprung a leak and our living room carpet, although dried out, now stinks. The radiator has been replaced through a plumber friend for a very reasonable cost.

However, the carpet goes right through to the dining room, so replacing it is a large area and big money. We've got small kids so, prior to the accident, weren't thinking of renewing the carpet just yet.

I'm concerned that if I file a claim with my buildings insurance (having checked the policy, it's buildings rather than contents) next year's premiums will rocket.

What's everyone's experience of this type of thing?

We used to live in a flat and the flat above us's radiator leaked down into our flat causing the ceiling plaster to fall down, carpets ruined etc. We claimed on our insurance-not theirs-and it did not have any noticeable impact on the cost of our premiums-possibly no impact. You have to declare it for the 5 years after, so every time I renewed insurance I had to explain the whole thing which was a bit annoying-but each time I did the moment I told them the cost of the claim (about £2000) they were immediately not that fussed. Hopefully you should be fine.

Do you think the problem could be solved by having the carpet cleaned professionally?

Know that doesn't answer your insurance question, but wondering if there is another solution to replacing the carpets...

Lumpity - interesting that they weren't bothered about £2000 because new carpets would be under that. And good news about no increase in premiums.

Earlybird - yes, I think the insurer might ask us to get it cleaned before they pay out for new carpets, in which case we can hire a carpet cleaner for less than our excess.

Anyway, just come back from a day out and def less smelly than it was.