will my home insurance cover damaged ceiling

[goblet]

About a year ago a leak under a bath occurred and water went down through the living room ceiling below.

At the time the property was let out and the tenants reported the leak to my lettings agent who was managing the property for me. The leak was immediately fixed but the the lettings agent didn't notice any obvious damage to the living room ceiling save that it had been wet.

Anyway, at some point the ceiling sagged and cracked which was not that obvious and the lettings agent didn't realise and the tenants didn't mention.

The ceiling below where the leak occurred has now collapsed and the whole ceiling needs replaced at a costs of £1,800.00! (17ftX15ft room).

Anyway, my insurers are trying to say that I should've told them when the leak occurred so that they could've assessed it then. However, I didn't know the leak had caused any damage and neither did the lettings agent who inspected the property at the time of the leak.

Any ideas?

[lalalonglegs]

I'd get a letter from the estate agency saying that the damage appears to be incremental. I would also find another plasterer because that is way too much to plasterboard and skim a ceiling.I would expect to pay #500 tops (live in London and am used to being ripped off too).

[goblet]

Ok thanks for the advice.

I think the sum I've been quoted is to remove the old lathe and plaster as well and hopefully to re-paint. Not sure though, as I'm waiting for the letting agent to let me have copies of the quotes.

I was thinking about £900 tops, so was understandably shocked at the two quotes I got for about £1,800.00!

[goblet]

Also, does anyone know if I can get the work carried out before the insurance lot make a final decision on whether they'll pay out.

The rest of the ceiling is looking like its about to come down and understandably the current tenants are quite concerned.