Plumbing repairs and excess

[Nickster]

Hi everyone,

We've noticed a wet spot on our bathroom wall, and the plumbers who visited yesterday identified it as stemming from a leaky tap on the bath. Our insurance excess is approximately 5k. The affected area spans about 30cm. To access the tap for repair, they'll need to open up a section of the wall, after which it will need to be closed and repainted.

I'm wondering if it might be more cost-effective to handle the repairs privately rather than going through insurance.

 

[DapperDanMan]

I'm wondering if it might be more cost-effective to handle the repairs privately rather than going through insurance.

Yes, just get a Zimster/Malawian.

 

[Nickster]

Yes, just get a Zimster/Malawian.

But for reals now, do you think it's going to be cheaper than the excess. First time owning a house and having to deal with this, so I am a bit of a noob here.

 

[DapperDanMan]

But for reals now, do you think it's going to be cheaper than the excess.

Yes, I do. (Your insurance excess is excessively high!)

 

[Stokstert]

Yes, I do. (Your insurance excess is excessively high!)

Wrong insurance?

 

[DapperDanMan]

Wrong insurance?

Maybe just a "wrong" excess bracket? Select a different bracket with them if possible, as well as suitable.

 

[Stokstert]

Get some quotes from some you know are expensive, then ask the Insurance company for cash-in-lieu, and you do the job yourself or for a lesser quote. I did that with a hail damage quote of my Polycarbonate roof. I took the quote of the supplier of the assessor, which did not show, and asked for a cash-in-lieu payment. This is thus not fraudulent.
Got away with a few R1000's pocket money by getting my friend to do the job for me, even paying him twice the amount he quoted me to do the job, as I can't get on a roof safely any more otherwise I would have done it myself.