Resolved Question

Who is liable for loss of food in a power cut..?

Ive had a power cut for apx 16 hrs, its safe to assume that my freezer has defrosted. Can I claim of the energy supplier or do I have to go through my house insurer...

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Your food should not be bad after 16 hours. We had a major flood, out of the house for a week, came back and the stuff around the edges was starting to thaw out. The stuff in the middle was frozen solid. And that was after a week with no electricity

50% 2 Votes

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Other Answers (4)

• You are responsible so you claim through your house insurance. I live in a rural area with overhead power and phone lines which are prone to power loss from high winds, heavy snow and ice. I have a chest freezer and keep it stocked up with more loaves of bread than any family would need along with the other items. If we get a long power failure one of the things we do is to pile in newspaper to fill it up. Keeping it well stocked means its insulated against defrosting for a longer period.
  I have had loss of power for over 24 hours - one New Year we lost power for 3 days but nothing in my freezer was lost.

  0% 0 Votes
• If you have not opened your freezer the food should be safe for 24 hours or more. If it has defrosted you have to claim off your house insurance.

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  25% 1 Vote
• Home insurance. The power company admits to no liability whatsoever.

  25% 1 Vote
• You should claim through your house contents insurance.

  0% 0 Votes