How to find an Avocate

[Mangetout]

My sister recently had to have an assessor to look at her car before it was repaired. It's taken weeks and she only got the delay sorted when she blew her top and threatened to move all her insurance policies to another company. Try jumping up and down - you might find they react. Good luck. Not easy coping on your own.

[MAD87]

@MAD87 a couple of years back we took out legal insurance at 91 euros a year - I did wonder if it was worth it - now I think it is!

We've always had legal insurance on our house insurance and we once used it (successfully) to defend ourselves in a spurious claim. The debt claim I did myself (all on paper).

[Sparkle]

@MAD87 Thanks, that's good to hear.

[Spectrum]

Why an Advocate, they are at least three hundred an hour, also they don't deal with "Small" problems, you need a Notaire, more local and cheaper, if the work is to complicated then they will be able to put on to Advocate that they are used to working with. Been there got the "T"shirt good luck.

[Leyla]

this could be a quicker and cheaper route to go

OK - I have noted that some professionals will accept Skype or other, calls. Perhaps this is the way to go with someone outwith my area?

I have memory problems so have to keep re-reading your messages to keep me updated.

[Leyla]

Why an Advocate, they are at least three hundred an hour, also they don't deal with "Small" problems, you need a Notaire, more local and cheaper, if the work is to complicated then they will be able to put on to Advocate that they are used to working with

This was the way I started but my Notaire told me to seek an Avocate. They suggested no-one.

[Leyla]

UPDATE

I went again to the Macif office yesterday. Again a struggle to understand but this guy was someone I hadn't spoken to before. He made a couple of calls then said I will receive a call from the "expert" - how many more times????

I also asked about my loss of income. Another call later, he said I must put something in writing and submit it to their office. I have copies of the contracts from the guests so this isn't difficult to prove. However, I had to book August out to myself. Surely they can understand that I can book my gite several times over in August. I could almost double my prices and I'd still get enquiries.

I also said that I had written to 2 electrical companies (2 July) and had received no response. Surely an insurance company should be only too willing to suggest tradesmen. I can only do so much so I think it is incumbent on them to find me someone to do the work. They should be used to this type of request.

[Quiksilver]

Just a couple of points, Leyla....I don't think you'll be able to claim against loss of 'potential' bookings. Firm bookings that have been cancelled as a result of the sinistre, yes, but not otherwise.
French artisans are notorious for not responding to requests for devis, especially if they're competent and busy! August really is not the month to try to get a response from anyone in the building trades, but get yourself a long list of (fairly) local electricians and bombard them all in September. You might get one or two replies

[Leyla]

loss of 'potential' bookings

I did this to "protect" potential guests. The 2 couples who booked way back in January - obviously wishing to secure their booking - had a huge problem in finding alternative accommodation so late. I tried my best to help but - guess what - because of the new financial situation, they had all just about doubled their prices and were mostly booked anyway. Hence my comment in saying that I could book several times over. Yes, I could have obtained bookings for the whole of August but that would have left us all extremely angry and I don't think I could have coped with the stress and guilt. So I suppose I have lost this point?

There are not that many electricians near me but I suppose I could prepare a "standard" letter to send to a number. I often wonder what all these artisans do. I've seen one of my electricians down the road fishing by the lake!

[curtis]

He deserves some time off, too !!