Mr Thomas was an insurance man who in June 1991 dealt with Jack Duckworth over a claim covering water damage at 9 Coronation Street. The back room had been flooded when the water was turned off with the taps still on and switched on again without notice. Jack tried to con the insurance company by claiming for the hall too so he and Vera could redecorate the house for free. Mr Thomas explained to Jack that the loss assessor Jill Devonshire's opinion was that the extent of the damage couldn't be put down to the flood and that the whole claim was thus invalid. Jack tried to haggle with him to get a partial pay-out but to no avail.