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Claims
Q How should we notify you of a claim?
A You can telephone us on 0161 833 9696 or 0845 7697531 and ask for our Claims Department. We will usually take brief details and issue a claim form, as well as offering advice and guidance.
Alternatively, you can send a fax to 0161 833 1287, email us at methodistclaims@micmail.com or download a claim form. It may also be useful for you to refer to our ‘How to Make a Claim’ guidance sheet available as a download from this website.
Q Will anyone visit us to investigate a claim?
A Generally, we only send someone to make enquiries locally if the cost of the claim is likely to be substantial, say, over £3,000 or it is complex in nature. However, there will always be exceptions to this, and each case will be treated on its merits.
We would engage an independent chartered loss adjuster, who will arrange a mutually convenient appointment, provide you with support in compiling the claim, authorise repair work and ultimately agree settlement, where appropriate.
Q Can we carry out emergency repairs or reglazing?
A Any work required to maintain the security of the premises or make it weatherproof can be carried out immediately and a quotation should be obtained for the permanent repair.
Glass in windows and doors can be replaced by a local glazier or by using a 24 hour emergency service operated on our behalf by Solaglas who can be contacted on 0870 870 7171. They will require your policy number and will deal directly with us regarding payment. You will be invoiced separately regarding the policy excess.
Q Are there any special requirements for claims involving personal injury?
A Such claims may be subject to legislation, which imposes strict time limits for dealing with correspondence and completing enquiries. Therefore, it is important that we are notified at the earliest possible opportunity of any accident which may result in a claim for compensation being made against the church.
Similarly, any communication you receive, particularly from a solicitor, should be forwarded to us immediately, without acknowledgement. We will respond to the letter for you and arrange any investigation that may be required.
Q What is a policy excess?
A This is included in insurance policies to eliminate claims for small amounts or to act as a deduction on larger claims. The level of excess will be detailed in your policy schedule or in the policy wording. Please contact us if you require clarification. It is our normal practice to apply an excess of £50 or £100 to policies. Very occasionally a higher excess operates because of certain features of a risk or because of a poor claims record.
Q Is there a time limit for making a Claim?
A Most of our policies contain a Condition, which requires notification at the earliest possible opportunity and full written details within 60 days. If there is a genuine reason why this cannot be adhered to and an explanation is provided, we may still be able to accept the claim.
Q When do we need to notify the police?
A In cases involving Theft, Loss, Malicious damage (vandalism)
and Impact damage by road vehicles or animals. It is always possible that property may be found or the persons responsible traced, which could mean reimbursement of some of the amount paid or your policy excess.
Q When a contractor is engaged to carry out repair work, who will settle the account?
A It is preferable to all parties, if the policyholder pays the contractor at the outset, submits the receipted invoice to us and we will issue a cheque payable to you, less the applicable policy excess. If we are asked to make payment direct, we usually require a signed satisfaction note to accompany the account, so that we are certain that you are happy with the work. Alternatively, we can send you a cheque payable to the contractor to pass on, assuming everything is in order.
Q Can we claim for several similar incidents on one form?
A We would have no objection to a single form being used for more than one incident, providing and they were within a reasonable period of time, say no more than six months and the damage is the same type in each case. Having said this, we must apply an excess to each and every separate incident as if the claims were submitted one at a time.
Q Will you be able to pay for work carried out to eliminate further damage?
A Although we will benefit from not having to deal with more claims in the future, you will gain from not having the inconvenience associated with the loss or damage and will avoid the possibility of incurring an increased policy excess or higher premium if several claims had to made. In any case preventative measures nature would not be considered as part of the repair of the work to repair the insured damage.
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