An Angus family have hit out at their insurance company following a flood in their home.
Nicola, 28, and Kristofer Denny, 30, from Newbigging, were left “disgusted” by the treatment they say they have received from Direct Line after their claim on their home insurance eventually resulted in the couple being investigated for fraud.
The married couple, who lived at their home with their three daughters and run their own photographic company, returned to their property from a family outing on February 18 to find water pouring out of the front door and down the steps.
The couple opened the door and were horrified to see that their entire first floor was covered in a layer of water, ruining their property and their belongings.
Since then Nicola and Kris say they have been led in circles by their insurance company, and their family have all suffered.
Nicola told The Courier: “The intense stress in which our family has been placed is absolutely disgusting. I feel just awful.
“I’m usually such a happy person, but I feel really dark now all the time. My husband has become really anxious and it has stressed out the kids.
“Our middle daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, spends much of her day in an extremely stressed state and currently can’t go anywhere near our family home due to how different it is.
“We have video evidence of the stress this is causing her autistic children cannot handle change well and this whole situation is dramatically affecting her mental wellbeing. It is heart-breaking watching her go through this.”
Since reporting the incident in February Nicola said her family’s problems have multiplied and escalated from a simple insurance claim to the matter being investigated by Direct Line for fraud.
The couple say disputes between themselves and Direct Line over the intricate details of the claim have dragged the situation out longer than anticipated and left the family out of pocket.
They have stayed in two hotels, two lodges, bunked with their parents and are now living in temporary accommodation on a week-to-week basis.
Nicola added that she has contacted the company’s chief executive directly and has also spoken with her lawyer as she seeks a resolution.
“It is disgusting that after discovering our home has extensive damage that we have to suffer with all this stress on top.
“Insurance companies are meant to help, to make it as stress-free as possible not treat us like criminals. The whole thing has been nightmare after nightmare.
“I really just want them to speed everything up and I want some resolution so my house can be put back to normal.”
A spokeswoman for Direct Line confirmed it was investigating the situation and was looking at each of the Denny’s claims on an individual basis.