Loss of property in garage fire

[moneal]

My car was destroyed when the garage that was servicing it burnt down, their insurance will not pay a fair price for my property that was in the car and thus lost in the fire.
They say that they will pay thier mark down value not the cost of replacment.
Is there an insurance guide I can quote to get payment nearerthe value than 20% of the cost of replacment

[flip_flop]

Do you mean replaced with new or a valuation that (in theory at least) is aimed to allow you to purchase an equivalent vehicle from a private seller.

The correct level 'compensation' is indemnity - that is to place you, as far as is reasonably practicable, in the same position after the loss as you enjoyed before the loss.

If you don't have access to Glass's Guide or CAP (which are the guides the motor trade and insurance industry use) try Parker's Guide - Parker's will give you an idea of what your car is worth on-line.

[moneal]

The Garage insurance paid a reasonable price for the car, it is the contents of the car that we are having trouble recovering. Its all very well saying 'What they are worth now' but Spec Savers dont do replacement glasses and reduced values. The car was used for business, it was left with a small local and trusted garage for a quick service so the contents were not removed. So there was quite a lot of stuff in the car

[New Judge]

It is ultimately it is the garage owner who is responsible for your loss, not his insurers. He insures himself against such eventualities but if his insurers refuse what you consider to be a reasonable claim for recompense any action you take as redress must be directed towards him.

As you say, Spec Savers will not provide you with “part used” glasses at a reduced rate and you have no option but to buy new ones. Let the owner know that as his insurers are refusing your claim you will start an action against him in the small claims court to recover your losses. He may be able to persuade his insurers to meet your claim, but if not go ahead and take the action.

[R1Geezer]

The judge is spot on, file a smaill claim against the garage, then he'll be motivated to chase the insurer.

[DONNA1458]

most insurance companies only insure contents of your vehicle upto £100 it's never a good idea to keep valueable items in your car aspecially when leaving it in someone elses care. surely the gent who owned the garage has enough to contend with without being chased through a claims court !!!

[woozer]

I am not sure that I agree with New Judge. The garage owner is only responsible if he was negligent in some way and thus legally liable for your loss - this is a separate issue to the cover that he may have had under his commercial policy covering property in his custody or control regardless of legal liability. If there was nothing he could do to prevent the fire and consequent damage then I would imagine your best redress would be the second hand value offered by his insurer or the garage owners goodwill !

[Pollypeptide]

You say the car was being used for business. Do you have any All Risks cover under your business insurance policy? This would cover items that are taken outside your business premises. For example you may have this kind of cover for mobile electronic items such as lap-tops, mobile phones etc , work related tools and the like. It may be worth checking with your own Insurers.