Home insurance claims may be rejected because of poor maintenance, says Gari Dombo, Managing Director of Alexander Forbes Insurance. If any loss, damage or accident is caused by the policyholder's gross negligence, an insurer can reject the claim. All that is required is for an insurer to determine that gross negligence was the proximate cause.
“It is the homeowner's duty to maintain his property so that it does not pose a danger to other property or people.” He is expected, for example, to cut the tree that is leaning dangerously over his neighbour's property or nail that slippery carpet down.
“In law, it is a general responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent all loss, damage or liability. If someone is aware or should reasonably be aware of a situation that will likely result in loss or damage but does nothing about it, it is gross negligence.”
Carandhomeinsurance.co.za spokesperson Guy Eagle says you cannot insure your home for lack of maintenance. “According to the agreement between you and the insurer, you are under obligation to maintain the good repair of your home. If the assessor determines that your home is in a bad state - gutters blocked, walls damaged from leaks, poor waterproofing, etc - they can reject your claim.” Any damage that could be prevented through maintenance will not be covered by your insurance policy.
“Your insurer may cover the cost to repair sudden consequential damage,” says Dombo, “unless they feel you have neglected to remedy deterioration that you knew or should have known about.”
If your roof leaks during a particular storm, for example, and the internal finish is damaged, they may agree to pay for that internal damage. They will not pay, though, if the internal damage is caused as a result of numerous storms.
“Policies usually exclude damage to the buildings by wear and tear or gradual deterioration. Maintenance would serve to prevent many of these losses, particularly for damage through obviously deteriorated waterproofing.”
In the same way that a car insurer will not pay for claims relating to an accident that could have been prevented by the replacement of worn tyres, a home insurer will not pay for gradual damage.
Preventative measures
Water damage is more prone to be a result of negligence, notes Dombo, especially water damage as a result of blocked gutters, brittle bandage on the roof, worn malthoid underlay and thinning thatch. “Gutters, valleys and flashings on your roof may clog up (anything that impedes the flow of water is likely to cause leaks and consequential damage to interior finishes). Check these before the rainy season (more frequently if necessary) and clear these of leaves and debris.”
Flashings, that is bandage (or membrane) found where roofs meet the walls of the home, are also prone to become brittle and then porous causing gradual water damage or rising damp. “Paint these regularly, preferably every year.” Also becoming brittle over time, old malthoid underlay found on many slate roofs allows water penetration, and must be inspected annually and replaced accordingly.
Thatch is also prone to damage, and should be inspected regularly. Roofs of thatch should be restored every five years (three years if your home is at the coast), says Dombo. “The screws on IBR and other iron roofs loosen over time, and should likewise be inspected annually and repaired and sealed as necessary.”
Eagle says the internal structure of the home too should be maintained to prevent damage caused by wear and tear as well as fire. “Heating appliances used in winter and cooking equipment are the leading cause for home fires. Make sure that your stove, oven, underfloor heating and heaters are well maintained to prevent such claims from being rejected.”
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