Property owners insurance FAQ

Contact us as soon as possible to advise of a new or potential claim as many policies have time limits for reporting claims. Do not leave it until long after the event when all the damage/missing items are repaired/replaced. Please check your policy documentation or ring us if in doubt.

All malicious damage or thefts must be reported to the police and a crime reference number obtained.

You have a duty to mitigate and prevent further losses from occurring:

• Keep a record of all damage- a digital camera is very useful for recording a disaster and providing proof
• Do not dispose of anything unless you have no option for reasons of health and safety- take a photograph of any items that you have to dispose of
• Make sure that your premises are safe and secure
• Obtain the details of anyone who might be responsible for the damage
• Obtain name and contact details of any potential witnesses

You must inform us/your insurers as soon as possible.

You have a duty to mitigate and prevent further losses from occurring:

• Make sure that your premises are secure
• It is OK to have emergency boarding-up done in the event of a break in or vandalism. Whilst you do not have to wait until you have informed your insurers, you should call them as soon as practical

Ensure that you keep all costs to a minimum. Act as if you were uninsured and that you are spending your own money and:

• Retain all receipts
• A photographic record is useful
• All malicious damage or thefts must be reported to the police immediately and a crime reference number obtained

You must notify your insurers as soon as possible. Consider the merits of hiring dehumidifiers but do not carry out repairs without consulting your insurers. Insurers may bring in specialists to clean up and remove water and assist with the drying out of your property and also to recover documentation. The sooner this can be done the better.

Yes, as your landlords policy may cover all or some of the damage to the building. Make sure that you are clear on your responsibilities under your lease or rental agreement. Do not assume you are responsible and carry out or agree to carry out repairs without checking first.

As soon as you become aware of a claim or potential claim being made against you for injury or damage:

• Notify us so that we may alert your insurers
• Do not ignore or dispose of any letter from any representative of or anyone making a claim against you. The claim is unlikely to go away and the situation will only get worse if not attended to promptly
• Pass all correspondence on to us unanswered

You should notify your insurers of any damage to your property even if you think someone else may be responsible. Do not assume that just because the damage was caused by someone else that they are legally liable. The law allows for genuine and fortuitous events and also bear in mind that they might not be insured or in a financial position to pay for your damage.

We recommend that you:

• Report all accidents to your insurers
• Meet your legal obligation to record accidents in your accident book
• Do not accept responsibility or agree to pay compensation even if you think it is obvious that it is your fault
• Allow your insurers to investigate and advise you of the best course of action to be taken

If you accept liability before referral to your insurers then you could prejudice your and your insurers ability to deal with any claim made against you.