Little victories

Gorse Fox has a healthy disregard for Insurance companies. This does not mean that he doesn't have insurance... only that he knows how hard they try not to be liable for paying out. Today his cynicism gotthe better of him.

At the weekend he received a letter from the Insurer's builders itemising the work that would be performed to rectify the ceiling. Items included:

• Removal of asbestos ceiling, incl. air test.
• Patch plasterboard, tape and seal.

Hmmm... thinks GF does that mean they will rip down the ceiling, but only repatch the part that was originally damaged (and GF will have to pay for the rest)? GF decides to check.

Phones company.

Waits.

Waits some more.

Agent on phones decides that the wording is ambiguous and needs to check. GF thinks "So it's not just me!" Agent returns and confirms that all is covered, not to worry.

GF sighs with relief, then asks "What about the hand crafted built-in oak wardrobes - you will need a skilled cabinet maker to dismantle them before the ceiling is done?"

Long pause... followed by the statement that GF will have to sort that out, they only deal with the fabric of the house, not the content.

GF splutters and politeley hangs up. He phones the insurance company direct. he explains the predicament. They will have to check and get back.

GF waits.

He waits some more

They phone back. Amazingly they have admitted that it is their problem and they have authorised the work to dismantle and re-install the wardrobes. Again GF sighs with relief. They took him 5 months to build!!!

[File under: Insurance]