Matching clauses are common within insurance policies and the wording of each policy determines your entitlement. In your instance it seems your damaged settee can be replaced on a 'like for like' basis (which you are entitled to) as it's still available. You should provide a quotation for replacement from the supplier and point out the fact that you are entitled to replacement of the same. Do not forget to include delivery and disposal costs as these costs form part of your claim. 

If the laminate is not screwed, glued or under the skirting and you can easily remove it, it should be classed as contents. Furthermore if you had it fitted, you may be able to provide a receipt to insurers. This coupled together and presented in the correct manner to insurers should prompt a more positive response. 

You have the right to choose your own contractors despite what insurers representatives tell you. Ask them to provide evidence within your policy that states otherwise. If you are not comfortable with the insurers contractor, or the scope of any remedial works schedule they have provided, simply ask for clarification and reassurances. If you are happy with the scope of works but still unsatisfied with the contractors, obtain alternative estimates for insurers to agree. Insurers and their representatives have a habit of not disclosing the full details and costs of repairs, claiming it is confidential. Thus leaving them to negotiate costs with your preferred builder or you the policyholder in an attempt to adjust your claim and minimise your entitlement. The acceptance form gives your authority to insurers builders to carry out the works (as you have instructed and signed the acceptance form, any later issues will be for you to deal with).  Many insurers ask their contractors to take excess payments up front which is also a binding contract. Ensure you are happy with any contractor who asks for money upfront as we cannot see the necessity of this. 

Firstly, most insurance policies differ in terms of what they class as storm damage. Check your policy and its definition of wind speeds. Check the weather records and ask a roofer to provide a report of the causation of the damage. This information together with proof of several similar incidents within the area should prompt insurers to review the situation. It is well known that a guest of wind from a storm is not necessarily consistent throughout an area. 

Firstly the majority of loss adjusters are not Chartered Surveyors or even qualified in the building and construction field and therefore they do not have the knowledge or qualifications to make such recommendations. We would always recommend that you appoint an independent specialist and or a qualified building surveyor to establish the facts and present your claim.  

Under the terms of your policy you are entitled to a house on a like for like basis. If distance is an issue, you always have the option to find your own accommodation and ask insurers to authorise it. If it's a case whereby distance incurs additional costs such as travelling, then ask insurers to confirm in writing that they will cover necessary additional expenses.

Insurance loss adjusters (not all) think they are employed to find reasons to reject claims (impress the bill payers) rather than taking an honest and independent approach. Theft claims are dealt with by loss adjusters and insurers suspiciously and they may use policy wording to reject a claim although they are irrelevant to the actual event. It would be advisable to clear the matter up in writing to insurers clarifying your position and addressing the following points  1. Explain your keys were in the kitchen during the loss adjusters visit as you were at home and this is not the case when you are out of the house (If true). It would be advisable, to also ask insurers if they can evidence the loss adjusters findings and that you require proof of a breach of the policy via a signed statement or recording. 2. We are assuming the damage to the window where the break-in happened is visible and coincides with the police report, which should be available to insurers. Request a final response based on the information provided and escalate the matter to the FOS if required. 

A: All situations are different and it is essential that you understand the terms of your policy. However, you are entitled to carry out emergency works that mitigate further losses. The interesting question is what is not insured? The emergency temporary repair is not insured. However the call out and trace & access to identify the issue is generally insured. Therefore always ask your contractor to provide a breakdown of the cost for insurers to settle. 

It is common for insurers to refuse a leak from the failure of sealant as this could be regarded as gradual wear and tear leading to the incident. However, it seems your policy is comprehensive and therefore we would assume you have accidental damage. As such your claim should not be refused in its entirety. The resealing of the shower would be your cost, but the additional damage could be covered under the accidental damage cover. Ask your independent assessor to review and take up this possible mis-interpretation of the policy with insurers.

You have posed some very interesting scenarios and we will try to address them with limited knowledge of your policy wording. Single item limits exist within policies and can vary in limits. The single item limit is the maximum you have insured for, unless specified separately to insurers. The replacement of your suite is not covered, probably due to a matching clause and also each piece is a single item. Therefore if this is confirmed the loss adjusters recommendation is probably correct. However in the instance of your stolen earrings costing £1,800.00 these should be covered in full as they are also single items and therefore valued at £900.00 each, in which case the loss adjusters recommendation would not be one that we would accept. With reference to your overall cover of £50,000.00, this is further broken down into categories which you or your independent assessor can check and confirm. 

Accidental damage cover is usually an add on to policies. It carries all sorts of additional cover and is not limited to the more common understanding of "I've accidentally put my foot through the ceiling" or "I've accidentally spilt some paint on the floors". It is advisable to read what additional cover it holds that could educate you as to how much is missing from the standard cover.

In simple words your used item that needs replacing will be replaced new and without a wear and tear deduction.

If for example a tv needs replacing and it cannot be replaced due to it being discontinued / unattainable, you will be entitled to a current one that is of equivalent specification. 

Fires can cause so much damage that is not visible to the eye and can prove to be complicated. It would be assumed that the most appropriate steps to take would be to instruct independent professionals to work with you, ensuring your best interests are looked after. 

The earlier you appoint a loss assessor the better and could result in a better outcome.  This is as opposed to calling a loss assessor once things start going wrong. However you can call a loss assessor at any time, even at the point when a claim has been refused. Remember that the insurers loss adjuster is appointed by the company you are claiming from. You are fully entitled to appoint a loss assessor who can deal with all aspects of loss related insurance claims (Business & Personal). They also have the ability to instruct Qualified and Independent Professionals such as Chartered Surveyors, Engineers, Architects, Accountants, Solicitors etc as required under the terms of your policy ensuring a professional and comprehensive process and delivery of your claim. They will handle all aspects of your claim from start to finish ensuring they have your best interests at all times.