Claiming on Insurance for Roof Repairs

mkar18 on 18/12/2017 - 13:58
Last edited 18/12/2017 - 14:32 by 1 other user

Has anyone ever claimed the insurance to fix the roof leak?
What is covered and what is not?
The terms and conditions differs from Insurance to Insurance and none of them is very clear about these.
Asking them eventually leads to claim being denied as they try and ask you to get that sorted.

Is the following covered by insurance:-

Replacing Iron Valleys to prevent existing leak and to prevent any future leaks?
Re-pointing all the edge caps and cementing them to prevent the leak?
Replacing the broken gutter?
Replacing Broken Tiles?
Replacing Misplaced Tiles?

Etc.,

Could someone share their experiences on these claim?

• 

  mskeggs on 18/12/2017 - 14:24

  +2

  I think you would be able to claim for storm damage, but not roofing material that has failed due to end of life.
  Did you address the source of the leak as soon as it was detected? If so, damage is likely negligible, maybe just some painting, and not worth the aggro of a claim.

  • 

    mkar18 on 18/12/2017 - 17:04

    Well, I am trying to claim what is related storm damage and the rest by myself. I have explained that to the insurance company, they said anything related to leak and storm would be theirs and I really set this post to workout the boundaries very well so that i don't end up with big invoice to myself…Just as a precaution

    • 

      JimmyF on 18/12/2017 - 18:57

      +1

      They will do the claim, but might reject it or lower the payout if found that the 'leaks' had been caused by lack of maintenance.

      Its YOUR responsibility to look after these things and keep the house watertight. Not theirs.

• 

  singlemalt72 on 18/12/2017 - 14:56

  +4

  Insurance is there to cover for unforeseen events, not general wear and tear, this is usually classed as neglect in your contract.

  The terms and conditions differs from Insurance to Insurance and none of them is very clear about these.

  Nope - your Product Disclosure Statement is very precise in wording what is and isn't covered - It would seem to me you are shopping around for an insurance policy to cover this existing damage, otherwise you would only be concerned with your actual policy. In short, not gonna happen.

  Just like your car insurance is't liable for you driving on bald tyres and crashing, your upkeep of your home is your responsibility.

  • 

    mkar18 on 18/12/2017 - 17:05

    True.. will go through the PDS to understand and workout the boundaries..Anything as you wear and tear would be my bill and anything caused by storm would be by insurance i guess.

• 

  ChrisLevo on 18/12/2017 - 16:44

  +1

  All of those things happen over time, so I can't see how an insurer would cover what everyone knows will happen.

  I have had to do all of those things, and it never occurred to me that it could be an insurance claim.

  Your best (only) insurance is preventative maintenance.

• 

  Vhope07 on 18/12/2017 - 17:30

  I had a ugly stain on the kitchen ceiling, looked like the roof was leaking. I figured no harm in calling the insurance company, they came and inspected it from indoors and said they would pay for a ceiling repaint but I had to get the roof fixed at my own cost. fair enough.

  Roofer came and found nothing amiss on the roof on the kitchen side. So I to live through a day or two of hassle of repaint. The stain never came back either, so I am not quite sure what happened but a good result in calling the insurance company.

  Only thing I wanted to add is that the reclaim process for lost goods or accidents is easier with receipts of the original purchase. Just because you break your ipad or drop wine on your sofa, having a repair quote AND the original invoice will expedite the process a fair bit.

  • 

    JimmyF on 18/12/2017 - 18:55

    +1

    But you had to pay your excess, and then will have to declare a 'claim' in the future for the required period.

    It would have been cheaper to use the excess money to hire a painter.

    • 

      Vhope07 on 18/12/2017 - 22:10

      You are right JimmyF! I didn't think about those points at the time really. I thought the insurance company was taking care of me so well! This year the premium has shot up, but also because of an additional claim due to theft.

      • 

        JimmyF on 18/12/2017 - 22:59

        Thats ok, you live and learn!

        Gotta weigh up the excess cost vs the repair/claim cost and the knock on from making a claim.

        We have all been there, done that. I'm just coming out of my declare period, but interestingly, the insurance company who I had a big claim with, is still nearly 'double' compared to the house next door.

        Seems like while I don't have to declare the claim anymore, the 'company' never forgets!

• 

  JimmyF on 18/12/2017 - 18:54

  +1

  Replacing Iron Valleys to prevent existing leak and to prevent any future leaks?
  Re-pointing all the edge caps and cementing them to prevent the leak?
  Replacing the broken gutter?
  Replacing Broken Tiles?
  Replacing Misplaced Tiles?

  hahahaha NO! These are all house ownership maintenance issues. YOU PAY FOR THEM!