Need Advice on Insurance Claim Issue

Lrurouni on 22/12/2017 - 19:13

Hi All, need some advice urgently.

I've bought a unit few years ago as a new home for my whole family, only before settlement I had found out that the bathroom renovation by the previous owner was done without strata approval (I suspect they use un-licence tradies to do the job is why they don't notify anyone). It was too late to pull out as I would lost the 10% deposit. So I was force to roll the dice and pray that everything is ok. Note that during the whole process the strata manager was a pain to deal with so we pretty much just stop talking to each other ever since.

Fast forward to today, the crap finally hits the fan…last week when we were out shopping for X'mas, the pipe inside the bath tub burst and water has flooded my unit, the floorboards and some furniture was damaged and we had to get it repaired/replace. I contacted my contents insurer and they came and assessed the damage, they will cover everything but the floorboards as for some strange reason that is actually included in the home insurance under my strata plan.

Now as I'm trying to avoid getting the strata manager involved so I contacted the home insurance directly and their assessor came and inspect the place, they have agreed that they can cover the floorboards but they will need to talk to the strata manager because the claim involved excess and probably needs to go on strata record. Now I'm happy to pay the excess myself just for this to go away, but if the insurance talk to the strata manager can they actually flat out refuse to pay for the claim if strata inform them about the reno being non-approval (And possibly sub standard?)

Also are there anything I can do except pray for the mercy of the strata manager? Which I'm pretty sure will try to screw me over.

Thank you so much for reading all this and providing me with any useful advice, it has been a hellish week for my whole family and it's hard to find joy even in this festive time. :(

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & A great 2018!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • garetz on 22/12/2017 - 19:49

    Im pretty sure you can classify this as a emergency situation. If the strata manager refuses to process the claim, then as an owner you need to contact the other owners and get a new strata company. Also dont pay the excess, there is a reason its covered under strata insurance, because its their responsibility.

    • rurouni on 22/12/2017 - 21:10

      In previous instances our strata manager had always try to make a point that he is working for the interest of the majority and not pay for things for my unit because "the sinking fund belongs to all lot owners and you did the wrong thing, so you have to pay from your own pocket". I guess other owners might buy that because they will think it benefits them not to have to spend their sinking funds on 1 particular unit.

  • Cheap Charlie on 22/12/2017 - 20:29

    The Strata Manager works for and is paid by the Body Corp.
    Don't take any crap from them.
    Your Stata fees contribute towards the building insurance.
    As such its your right to claim on the insurance.
    How much is the estimate?
    It may prove cheaper for the Body Corp to pay the bill outside of insurance dependant upon the excess and the potential premium rise come renewal time.

    Ask the Body Corp manager to do their job and let them know you do not contribute towards their fee to cop grief from them.

    • rurouni on 22/12/2017 - 21:02

      Yeah, I know I have the right to make claims, but I'm afraid that the strata manager might try to screw me over by telling the insurance that the burst is due to non approval bathroom reno and thus lead to the insurance company to refuse my claim (also less work for the strata). Living in stress for the next 2 weeks until everyone comes back to work…..

      • Cheap Charlie on 22/12/2017 - 22:09

        The Strata Manager acts in your best interest.
        If they take a dump on you, attend the next Anual General Metting and air the suggestion of finding a Body Corp Manager that has their clients best interest at heart.

        Personally I think you are being over cautious.

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