Why Maintenance is Key

Property insurance claim experts, Gullion Ltd alert home owners of the pitfalls of many insurance claims made in winter, which may void your policy, should you need to make a claim.

“The bottom line is that no matter how much you’ve paid for your insurance premium, no policy will pay out for damage which has been caused by poor maintenance or wear and tear”, warns Niall Quinn, Director, Gullion Ltd.

Niall continued, “The onus is entirely on the property owner to make sure that their home or commercial building is maintained and protected ALL year round.?Winter weather of course brings extra challenges for property owners to protect their building, inside and out, however if the appropriate level of continual investment and maintenance has not been given, reaching a maximum settlement is much more difficult and at worst, it can void an insurance policy entirely.

?“Blocked gutters can lead to leaks in your property as water can’t escape through drains or at best, it can't get away fast enough. When moss grows and spreads towards the roof tiles it holds the water against the surface of the roof and over time it can cause rot and tiles to break.?Therefore gutters need to be cleared regularly and we would recommend that roofs should be inspected every few years and maintained with proof, should you ever need to make a claim.?

“Outside items should be secured and property owners should check that their policy provides adequate protection as often accidental damage or storm damage is not offered within standard cover.?Each provider will also have their own definition of a storm so it’s worth checking the small print of your policy, especially as we head into storm season.

“With temperatures in the flue of solid fuel stoves reaching up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, proof that it has been installed correctly is crucial. Insulating outside pipes is essential along with tree and boiler maintenance.?The list is endless, but imperative when protecting your investment."

Gullion Ltd – regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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