Crashed into my own house - both car and home insurers deny liability

I had to put in a claim on my home insurance first time ever. They declined the claim. I am not happy at all about how it has been handled. On top of the claim being declined they’ve sent me letters which took weeks to arrive due to incorrect postage paid on their side then gave me information which applies to the UK even though I’m in Ireland. Has anyone had any success with turning around a decision by an insurance company when you’ve complained to the ombudsman? Thanks

If you could give a few scant details on the nature of the claim, it may be helpful. Otherwise there is always the ombudsman.

Slightly embarrassing So I hit the side of my house causing structural damage to my home when I was driving into my drive. I have fully comprehensive car insurance and I have my home insurance too. I have made official complaints to both the car and home insurance and have received my final answer. Neither will pay out due to the fact I was driving the car and it hit my home. I’m going to go through the ombudsman next but any advice would be great. Thanks

Did you have accidental damage cover on your home insurance? If so, it would be important to mention that in your complaint.
If you didn't have that option, then I can see why home insurance damage was not covered.
https://www.zurich.ie/home-insurance/faqs/accidental-damage-cover/

Did the motor insurer cover the repairs to your car?

Just a thought, if you have a partner, who has a lien on the house, could they not claim on your motor policy as the injured third party?

No accidental cover. When I took out the policy the definition of accidental damage was described as accidental damage within your home such as tv been knocked over and damaged.
My husband is also home owner on our home and so are our children im not sure he could claim as the third person?

Your Policy booklet gives the details of what is covered and what is not.

Try not to worry too much. You would be surprised once the ombudsman gets involved how quickly insurance companies can relent. Also these two insurance companies may well be trying to pass the buck to each other. Please let us know how you get on with this. I am sure you not the first person that this has happened to.

Thank you for all the replies will definitely update regarding outcome. My car and home were insured with same company.

Any joy with the claim?

You should not make this complaint to the Ombudsman without professional advice.

Contrary to the common perception, most insurance companies do actually pay out when they have a liability. But they don't if it's not an insured risk.

It's not enough to say "I had insurance - they should pay out.". A broker should look through your policy for you and establish whether you have a claim or not.

If you don't have a claim, then SparkRite's advice is worth pursuing.

SparkRite said:

Just a thought, if you have a partner, who has a lien on the house, could they not claim on your motor policy as the injured third party?

Click to expand...

Just came across this thread.

Did the household insurance policy on the buildings have impact damage as one of the specific insured perils ?
If so, did the policy wording define the peril as including impact by road vehicles ?
If so, I cannot see any basis for refusing indemnity under the household policy.

The motor insurers might have declined to pay for the building damage as the OP cannot sue himself for his negligence.
However, the other interested parties to the ownership of the house would have a case against OP for their losses arising from damage to the building.

As is always the case in these matters insurance underwriters who refuse indemnity under a policy - a serious matter - should be made to explain their decision clearly and adequately in writing. The intellectual stress of this exercise sometimes causes a change of mind because they actually have to think about it properly as distinct from a cheap and casual wave off of the client :mad: