Good rains can be bad for your insurance – FNBIB

Everything in your garden may be rosy after the first downpours of the rainy season, but sometimes the consequences of good rains can be bad for unwary homeowners.

The seasonal tip comes from FNB Insurance Brokers (FNBIB), the short-term insurance arm of the FNB financial services group and a company known for proactive advice to the consumer.

FNBIB General Manager, Marketing Debbie Barret says the pitfall to watch involves gutters, down-pipes and drains and a provision in many household insurance policies that obliges the consumer to keep property well maintained and in a good state of repair.

“An insurer may repudiate a claim if you neglect your duty of proper maintenance and as a result suffer damage to the property and contents,” she explains.

“This means that you, the householder, have to meet the repair bill – perhaps because water seeped into your ceiling, down your walls and into your home after gutters became blocked and rainwater was unable to flow away.”

One potential problem at this time of year is abundant leaf growth as leaves are a frequent cause of blockages in gutters and down-pipes.

Debbie Barret adds: “Home-owners are well advised to carry out a periodic inspection of gutters and clear away any vegetation and material that might cause a blockage.

“Sometimes it may be necessary to cut away the branches of overhanging trees if this appears to be the underlying cause of the problem.”

Low-hanging branches that rest on or are near the roof should also be cut away. Branches like this often sway in a heavy wind, dislodging roof tiles or damaging the gutters.

Other possible ‘trouble spots’ are drainage channels or areas near the home where water could build up. Thick vegetation and silt can block the channel or prevent the speedy run-off of storm-water.

Problems might then occur with foundations or with damp.

“The basic point to remember is that damage directly attributable to poor maintenance by the home-owner can create a dispute with the insurer,” says Barret. “In cases where the cost of repair runs into thousands of rands, this can be extremely stressful for the consumer.

“The best way to avoid a contested claim and facilitate speedy claim settlement is to inspect the property regularly and carry out commonsense maintenance and repair. This time of year is a good time to start.”