Power Cut Compensation?

[tigwig]

I have been without power since 7am this morning and it is going to be off til at least 3pm. I have had a fridge full of food which is now all wasted but hopefully the freezer will be ok as its not been open. I am also a childminder so we have had to take the children out all day and its been a nightmare really! I am reluctant to incur the possible extra costs of claiming on my home insurance so am I entitled to get anything back for the loss of food and expenses incurred?

[Zacs-Master]

I'm pretty sure there will be some sort of disclaimer on your agreement with ylour provider. Who are they?

[tigwig]

First Utility supply my electricity.

[sunny-dave]

If you have a "business contract" for supply then you may have a chance - depending on the terms & conditions. If you are on a standard domestic tariff then I doubt you have any chance at all.

Why would food in a fridge be wasted after only a few hours - if the door is kept closed you'd be very unlikely to have anything 'go off'?

[jackthehat]

The standard reply is usually along the lines of;
///******** ******* do endeavour to provide a continuous supply of electricity but as circumstances can occur which are beyond our control, we are unable to guarantee an interruption free supply, as stipulated in your supply connection agreement. We therefore advise our customers to insure against any losses, which may occur as a result, as consequential and economic losses are not recoverable under current law (The Electricity Supply Act 1989 & Associated Regulations. We can only suggest that you claim via your own insurers.///

[ChuckFickens]

You're entitled to compensation for a outage of over 18 hours, or once you've had 4 outages lasting more than 3 hours in a one year period.

It's not the supplier that compensates you, it's the distribution network operator.

[ChuckFickens]

More detailed information...
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/if_your_gas_or_electricity_goes_off_e/claiming_compensation_when_your_gas_or_electricity_goes_off.htm

[vodkancoke]

The food in your fridge will be fine, unless you are having a heatwave at the moment!

[Maydup]

Do not open either the fridge or freezer and the food will be fine.

Hope leccy's back on soon.

[bednobs]

interesting chuck (hello by the way)
we have had many more than that - all lasting more than 3 hrs. Do they automatically give you compo or do you have to ask?

[needawin]

How can your food be destroyed in such a short time?

[needawin]

How much food do you have in your fridge!!!!

[hc4361]

If you must open your fridge stuff all the spaces with crumpled newspaper.
This will help to keep the cold food cool.

[joko]

even fresh stuff like cream will not go off in that time!

how do you suppose its possible to have a buffet out, uncovered, for hours in a warm room and be perfectly safe?


you will get nowhere if you try that one.