The Oban Times & WEST HIGHLAND TIMES

Ask anyone about claiming insurance, and they will no doubt have had an experience that left them furious or frustrated for one reason or another.

This week we have such a story, concerning a decorated hero who helped save 37 lives during the Piper Alpha tragedy but was almost killed due to a leaking toilet.

Last week pensioner Seamus McNeill’s godson noticed water coming through the 73-year- old’s bathroom ceiling from the flat above. Mr McNeill spoke to his neighbour who was quick to report it to their landlord, ACHA, and an emergency plumber was sent out to fix it. An ACHA inspector then carried out a follow-up check. Mr McNeill said he was told everything was fine; however, a few days later a large part of his bathroom ceiling collapsed only seconds after he had left the room. He had a lucky escape.

Mr McNeill says ACHA has told him he will have to claim on his own insurance and has walked away from the situation, which the OAP is upset about.

ACHA has done nothing wrong, but a little compassion about Mr McNeill’s circumstances – which are through no fault of his own – and the offer of someone to help him through the claims process would have gone a long way to reassuring this scared elderly gentleman.