Building Insurance Claims

Fire, flood or storm damage can be a major setback, but need not be a disaster if you have your insurance company - and Insite Surveyors - on your side.

Fire Damage

Fire damage covers more than simply the parts which got burnt. Damage due to heat, smoke and extinguishment water occurs much further than the flames themselves reached. A complete fire damage reinstatement scheme must address all of these points, as well as mechanical damage, loss of support, and damage to the electrical and other services.

Not all fire damage can be seen straight away. An efficient repair specification must allow for searching out hidden damage and dealing with it.

Town Planning policies, Building Regulations and standards have changed since the building was first constructed. Insurance policies usually allow for changes in specification to bring the repairs up to current requirements.

Acting for the building owner we:

Arrange to get the building safe and secure.

Liaise with statutory undertakings, and local authorities.

Inspect and report on the extent of damage including, if needed:

• Opening-up to find hidden damage

• Research into historical or non-standard construction

• Discussions with material and component manufacturers

• Arranging for Laboratory testing

Design and specify the repair works.

Invite and report on competitive tenders.

Monitor on-site during the repair works.

Keep financial control, including liaison with the loss adjuster.

Article - Fire Damage: A Need for Guidance?

Storm, Flood and Impact

Not as traumatic as a fire but, if it's your property that's damaged...

The basic service is the same as for fire damage, but we are alert to the special needs of each case. Talk to us about dehumidifiers and drying out of water damage.

Subsidence

Subsidence damage presents a different set of problems from other insurance claims. It is much slower-acting than other insurable problems, but still needs to be dealt with efficiently.

Subsidence claims take time, because they need to go through the following stages:

Decide whether the cause really is subsidence
Cracks can appear for many reasons, including drying-out, thermal movements or superstructure failures, as well as subsidence. A detailed survey of cracking and associated structural movements will show a pattern from which we can diagnose the problem. Different problems have very different remedies. A site investigation, including trial holes and a drains test will give further clues as to cause.

Decide whether it is continuing or a 'one-off'
If the movements have stabilised, then expensive and disruptive underpinning may not be required. Seasonal movements which open and close may need different treatment from movements which continue in one direction. Cracks and levels should be monitored on a monthly basis for at least a year, to tell the difference.

Underground repairs
Underground repairs may include foundation repairs and underpinning. Often, particularly on sandy soils, repair of a leaky drain or water main is enough to cure the problem. The necessary works are designed to suit individual site and soil conditions. After repairs are completed, a second period of monitoring will confirm that movements have stopped.

Superstructure repairs
Once the cause of the problem has been rectified, the superstructure repairs can be carried out. Insite Surveyors will prepare a schedule of works and supervise the contract through to completion.