Rainhead Revisited –your annual reminder

General Insurance

By Craig Anderson

As we head into the cooler months, and the leaves start to pile up in your gutters at work as well as at home, I’m here to remind you about preventative maintenance. Your insurer has a fair and reasonable expectation that your building will be maintained in a serviceable condition; and under certain circumstances, they can deny a claim if they feel the building has been damaged as the result of negligence. Blocked gutters and downpipes are increasingly the cause of unnecessary water ingress claims due to poor maintenance. However, this is only part of the story. Stormwater pits and pipes also need maintenance and as a result of being out of sight, are overlooked frequently. When they back up due to a blockage, huge volumes of water can enter your building with catastrophic results, when gutters and downpipes can’t discharge the rainwater fast enough, or perhaps not at all.

Often the cost to maintain stormwater systems is cheaper than paying the policy excess and having your home or business damaged, not to mention the stress a water ingress event adds to your life. It’s certainly cheaper than paying the resultant damage yourself if a claim is rejected. Insurance renewal premiums can be impacted, resulting in ongoing increased costs to you, and deteriorating claims history does not make you attractive to a new insurer either.

I’m seeing insurers become more focused on these types of claims due to the massive jump in storm related claims, and I can say from recent experience they will dig in their heels if they believe neglect is involved, or if they believe a system is inadequate. Hopefully this little reminder might save you a painful claim.

For a “health check” of your business insurance, contact Small Business Insurance Brokers via email: sales@ smallbusinessinsurancebrokers.com.au

Any advice in this article has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, before acting on the above advice, you should consider its appropriateness (having regard to your objectives,needs and financial situation).

Craig Anderson

GENERAL INSURANCE

Small Business Insurance Brokers

0418 300 096