An agent has been both praised and criticised for offering home insurance to private tenants living at Whaley Bridge, threatened with the possible collapse of a reservoir dam.
One resident, Leon Welliver, posted a copy of the email from Gascoigne Halman on Twitter.
The email, headed “Severe flood warning”, warns that a landlord’s insurance policy does not cover a tenant’s personal possessions.
It says: “We would like to take the opportunity to check that you have tenant’s content insurance in place for your personal belongings.
“If you would like a quote for tenant’s content insurance we would be more than happy to provide you with one, so that you can compare costs and cover to your current policy should you have one in place.”
Welliver, who lives about 300 yards from the dam and whose tweet can apparently no longer be seen on Twitter, told Metro: “I felt it was an attempt to make money. I thought it was an insensitive and insulting thing to do.
“It seems like they [Gascoigne Halman] have no concern for my family, my friends and the people of Whaley Bridge and the fact that their lives are in danger.
“But if you make a bit of commission on insurance sales, then terrific.”
One local letting agent agreed, writing on social media: “This email is absolutely disgusting and I’m sure your landlord would agree.”
But others said Gascoigne Halman had just been trying to help, by offering sound advice.
The email was sent before the mass evacuation.
Gascoigne Halman said in a statement to Metro: “With severe flood warnings in place across areas of the north-west and with the protection of our tenants’ belongings in mind, we sent out an email to all of our tenants on the morning of Thursday to remind them that they needed to have their own insurance in place to cover their personal belongings.
“Following the email we have had over 50 responses from tenants who did not have the appropriate insurance in place, thanking us for drawing their attention to this.
“We have supported these clients and helped them to insure their household belongings.”
Comments (5)
Whilst I can see why it may have been seen as insensitive by some, especially those in a vulnerable or emotional state of mind, I don’t think this was entirely out of order. From the above snippets, they don’t seem to be insisting that insurance is taken out through them, they are stating that if they don’t already have cover (which they may not have) then the Landlord’s policy will not cover their furniture (which many Tenants do not know) and offering to help if needed. The Tenants are free to ignore it or find alternative cover.
And if they hadn’t made everyone aware, then (should the worst happen) they would have been ripped to pieces for NOT informing the Tenants!
not a great email to send IMHO.
i would assume the Dam Owners would have liability to re compense
But I’m assuming that there will be a cap on that, and personally I feel that whatever money is forthcoming due to the hassle, trauma and all round inconvenience etc shouldn’t need to be spent on replacing the furniture. That’s what my insurance is for.
I’d be surprised if you found any reputable insurance company that would cover a property for new insurance in Whaley Bridge anyway.
The premium would he horrendous – assuming they’d entertain it.
Dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t.
Lets also hope the agent doent have a flood of other complaints as if there is a deluge of them they may be up to their necks and swamped.
The TPO would have a Whale of a time in adjuticating im sure which would waste a lot of time and money down the drain.