Can I claim my own work on insurance?

A reader from Manchester used his own labour on a home insurance claim. He is now wondering about how to invoice the insurance company.

Ian Durrell, myfinances.co.uk insurance expert from the Only Group, which includes onlyinsurance.com, tackles the issue.

Stanley from Manchester asks:

After an 18 month dispute, my insurance company has finally accepted that a claim I had on my home insurance policy is valid but only after the repairs have been completed.

They've requested me to submit all the invoices involved in completing the repairs so they can settle the claim.

As I was working with very little money, I had to use a lot of my own labour, can I put a valuation on my labour because if the company had settled earlier, I would, of course, had used contractors.

Ian replies:

Hi Stanley,

Sorry, no. Usually you can only submit actual valid invoices. You could claim for materials used though with the right receipts.

However, contact your insurance company and try to explain the situation.

If you have a question for Ian, go to the myfinances.co.uk Ask the Insurance Expert section.

Only Group is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.