Help a friend: House fire caused by candle, insurance refuse to pay out?

Voltar · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:16

You need to find out exactly how the candle was positioned and in what it was contained if anything.

The insurance company could refuse to pay out on grounds of it being caused by him, however there is still a chance that he could still only be found to be a (small or large) contributing factor to the damage and they therefore would pay out a portion of the claim. My gut would tell me that the chances of him getting everything covered is very slim, but he could still be able to claim some part.

However without more specific details all we can do is make presumptions based upon vague facts.

eatcustard · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:17

Speak to the ombudsman

CREATIVE!11 · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:19

Welcome to world of insurance,

They charge you arm and a leg, then find ANY excuse no matter how small to avoid paying out. Disgusting tbh...

DJMK4 · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:19

To be honest this is like trying to claim on your car insurance because you crashed your car whilst falling asleep at the wheel :\

Surely its common knowledge that you dont leave things burning when you go to sleep?

Id be more thankful that he is still alive!

gillywibble · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:22

eatcustard said:
Speak to the ombudsman

This to be honest.

My Mum died as a result of a lit candle. The manner of her death was horrific to say the least.

If you or anyone in your family light candles, please please get a free fire safety check, keep a fire extinguisher close to hand and don't wear flammable clothing of any kind.

Haggisman · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:26

El_Watcher said:
As has been said, it is not technically an accident. The cable was deliberately placed in an "unsafe" location.

I would say that almost every "accident" is caused by negligence or a deliberate action in some way!

DJMK4 said:
To be honest this is like trying to claim on your car insurance because you crashed your car whilst falling asleep at the wheel :\

Which I'm pretty sure you could do!

DJMK4 · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:29

Haggisman said:
I would say that almost every "accident" is caused by negligence or a deliberate action in some way!

Which I'm pretty sure you could do!

OK then, i'll use this example,

That would be like you trying to claim from an insurance company because you left your laptop in your car in plain view on your front seat, your car got broken in to, and said laptop was stolen, you maybe able to get away with it, but a lot of insurance companies will try and avoid paying out because basically you shouldn't leave valuables in plain view.

Same with the fire thing I guess.

If you left something burning and fell asleep, I would think they would be weary about paying out.

The Dread Pirate · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:41

To Put it quite bluntly when it comes to fire damage claims the only thing the'll pay out for is faulty wiring as a cause of fire anything else is either negligence or deliberate so far as most insurance companies are concerned and unless you continue to kick up a fuss they're unlikely to pay.

Edrof · 20 Mar 2013 at 13:43

gillywibble said:
This to be honest.

My Mum died as a result of a lit candle. The manner of her death was horrific to say the least.

If you or anyone in your family light candles, please please get a free fire safety check, keep a fire extinguisher close to hand and don't wear flammable clothing of any kind.

I'm very sorry to read that; and good advice given.

booyaka · 20 Mar 2013 at 14:44

Doubt there is any chance of payout, ombudsman or otherwise. It would fall under the "negligance" that he fell asleep.

Would people expect a home insurance policy to pay out if someone comes home after a night out and leaves the door to the house wide open and the keys to the car lying there?? No chance.

Sorry to hear about your friends situation but I can't imagine his claim will go anywhere.

doofer · 20 Mar 2013 at 14:53

Going to sleep with a lit candle is completely stupid, but telling the insurers that's what you did is even more stupid.

Spit · 20 Mar 2013 at 15:00

maccapacca said:
I assume he has a mortgage, just let the mortgage company know he can't afford the repairs and he'll have to hand the keys back unless they sort it out between them.

I think the weight of a mortgage company against a insurance company might win.

Thats a bright idea. They will have to sell it as a building plot and he will be left saddled with the balance!

Spit · 20 Mar 2013 at 15:01

doofer said:
Going to sleep with a lit candle is completely stupid, but telling the insurers that's what you did is even more stupid.

Yeah cos losing your house and going down for fraud is a much better outcome.

Draeger · 20 Mar 2013 at 15:13

Unfortunately folks, candles and tea lights are the 'new' chip pans when it comes to fires in domestic dwellings. Seen in more times than I care to remember.

bledd · 20 Mar 2013 at 15:37

Quickly change his story and tell them it was an LED candle?

Deleted member 77746 · 20 Mar 2013 at 15:57

After reading this it's the last time I get into bed with a non safe candle holder.

Cheers for the tip and sorry for your friend.

Veco · 20 Mar 2013 at 16:20

It seems the moral of the story is: always lie to your insurance providers.

ubersonic · 20 Mar 2013 at 16:23

Veco said:
It seems the moral of the story is: always lie to your insurance providers.

Or keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place

Deleted member 77746 · 20 Mar 2013 at 16:41

Veco said:
It seems the moral of the story is: always lie to your insurance providers.

ubersonic said:
Or keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place

TIP: Don't light candles in the first place!

Edrof · 20 Mar 2013 at 16:50

Veco said:
It seems the moral of the story is: always lie to your insurance providers.

Wouldn't there be some sort of report from the Fire Service about the fire's cause that would expose a lie? I'm totally guessing here.