Plumbing Quote for $1082 - Insurance Excess Is $750 - Should I Make a Claim?

eckorock on 27/07/2022 - 14:06

Hi, first up - I'm not experienced in matters of claiming home insurance so this would be the first time I've had to consider making a claim.

I had a roofing plumber come out recently to look at some leaks, he found some broken tiles and flashing that needed to be replaced.

The quote I received was $1082 in total (incl GST) , from what the plumber estimated to be < 2hr work and seemed to suggest was fairly straight-forward.

Issues identified:
1- water ingress to be spilling from in from the flue penetration
2- leak to be entering through a broken tile

Is it worth me claiming this through insurance (Budget Direct) with my excess being $750?
Is there any downside to claiming it through insurance? (assuming they will cover this work)

thank you.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Presence on 27/07/2022 - 14:20
    +2

    The risk is that there is more damage than you can see. At least if you claim on insurance they will be responsible for future issues to do with it

    • eckorock on 27/07/2022 - 14:24

      so if the issue re-occurs I can claim on any repairs without having to pay excess?

      • Presence on 27/07/2022 - 15:28

        If it is the same issue then yes. If the repairer does a shit job, and it get worse in the future then the insurer gets to have all the fun of dealing with tradies.

        Could get tricky if it's a leak that been ongoing for a while.

        Lots of grey zones here.

  • JimB on 27/07/2022 - 14:24
    +6

    Insurance isn't there for maintenance, e.g. replace broken tiles and flashing.

    It's the home owners responsibility for maintaining the house in good condition.

    Insurance is there to fix damages from said leaking roof, but not the roof itself, unless the roof was accidentally damaged via a storm.

    Now, if you knew that your tiles were broken and flashing needed to be replaced and you ignored the maintenance, the insurance company rightly so has the right to reject any subsequent claim for damages.

    • eckorock on 27/07/2022 - 15:04

      Ok I see. I moved in at the start of the year, the roof situation must have existed before then.

  • djones145 on 27/07/2022 - 14:46

    wear and tear so chances won't get paid

  • Muzeeb on 27/07/2022 - 14:52
    +4

    Lol

  • foursaken on 27/07/2022 - 15:18
    +3

    As others have said, unless you can link the damage to an incident, it's unlikely to be covered.

    Hypothetically if you were able to get this covered, what you want to think about in marginal situations is the warranty on the repairs - would it be better than the warranty of a tradesman? And also consider they may put your premium up of course.

    • eckorock on 27/07/2022 - 15:28

      yes that's what I was considering, what the next-year premium could be if I make a claim that only saves me $300

  • AndyC1 on 27/07/2022 - 15:44

    Read your insurance PDS and see if they cover the issues you have. Once you read the PDS and figure out if the insurance will or will not cover it you will be in a better position to make up your mind.

    In the mean time hopefully it will not rain.

  • Ori0n on 27/07/2022 - 16:27
    +1

    As others have said, you wont be covered for the cause of the damage (i.e. the broken tiles and flashing) but you would be covered for any damage caused by the water ingress (e.g. if you had any mould issues, or water damage to roof cavity or gyprock etc). Unlikely to be worth it in your case it would seem.

    There is no harm in contacting them to start the process and get it fully assessed by their assessors. Then you'll have the full facts and can make a more informed decision.

  • thatonethere on 27/07/2022 - 18:28

    Given it's $250 gap i wouldn't bother personally as the insurer may reject the claim as insufficient maintenance, then they are on the watch for you trying to claim damage in the future (or exclude "related" damage in the future). Also premium may rise regardless of claim being successful or not successful.

  • oscargamer on 27/07/2022 - 22:49
    +1

    1k for 1 broken tile. Get another quote

    • eckorock on 27/07/2022 - 23:47

      Yeah mate I would love to but the issue is everyone charges $250 now just to come out and have a look

  • ms_caz on 28/07/2022 - 00:22

    Budget Direct will cancel your policy/ refuse to renew in following year.

    • eckorock on 28/07/2022 - 09:03

      Why would they do that?

      • lgacb08 on 28/07/2022 - 16:06

        They have a reputation for ditching uneconomical policy holder.

        • thatonethere on 30/07/2022 - 17:57

          And then you have to declare to the next insurer that you have been refused insurance…

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