Caravan owners in Scotland are locked in a battle with their insurer six months after devastating floods caused by Storm Frank.
The ABI this week reported that 85% of the 15,000 claims resulting from last winter’s major storms had been settled, at an average cost of £50,000. But 19 owners at Ballater Caravan Park in Aberdeenshire are among those who are still waiting, according to a report from STV.
Leamington Spa-based Mobile Homes Insurance Service is refusing to pay out on the grounds that the damage at Ballater Caravan Park was the result of flooding – and not from the storm itself. One of the owners, Elaine Rennie, said: “Some insurers are paying out under storm damage but our insurer is saying it was flooding and isn't prepared to look at what other providers are paying out for.”
Mobile Homes Insurance Service told STV the clause relating to flooding was brought to the attention of policyholders. A spokesman said: “It should be noted that each policyholder willingly accepted the cover on the basis that any flood damage would not be covered. All the policies... exclude any cover for damage caused by flood whether or not this is as a result of storm. This exclusion was brought to the attention of every policyholder when they purchased their policy.”
Alastair Ross from the Association of British Insurers said: “Insurance companies need to make sure people understand the products they're selling them and for their part people really need to understand what they’re buying into.”
