Summary

If a claim on your home and contents insurance is due to poor maintenance, it could be refused. This article includes a ten-point Home Maintenance Check.

Home and Contents Insurance. Poor maintenance can invalidate your cover. Page 2

Author: Michael Challiner

•  When you are planting shrubs and trees you need to ensure that their roots are not going to cause future damage. If roots penetrate your drains or get into your foundations you're in for horrendous bills. { life assurance } Willow and Popular trees are some of the worst offenders. Are you aware that you shouldn't have a Popular tree within 150 feet of your property? If a new house is built within this distance, it has to have specially reinforced foundations!

•  Whilst on the subject of trees, you probably think that your buildings insurance will cover damage caused by falling trees. Yes they will - if the tree was well maintained. But what happens if the tree was rotten or already damaged? Yep, you've guessed it, that's a maintenance issue. You're liable! Unless you can show that you took ( online car insurance ) reasonable care of the trees, the insurer can refuse any subsequent claim. If have big trees you could have big problems. You are advised to get an annual report from a tree surgeon detailing any work that is needed - and don't forget to carry it out and keep the paperwork! Such action demonstrates that you have taken due care and therefore, any related claim will be accepted.

•  Do you have any climbing plants on the house? Check out that they haven't caused ( motor insurance ) damage to your brickwork or render. Ivy is the biggest offender. And never let climbing plants get onto your roof - that's a recipe for disaster!

•  Now go inside your house. Remember to have your central heating boiler serviced - it's been a hard winter! And get its carbon monoxide emissions checked. Whilst the engineer's there, also get him to give your radiators the once over.

•  Finally, up into the loft. Check for signs of leaks and rodent damage to the wiring. Squirrels love warm lofts and they love the insulation around wiring! The fire brigade hate squirrels! And a dirty job. Whilst you there, remove any old bird or wasp nests and block up the openings.

Take these steps and you're unlikely to run into a problem with any structural insurance claim. Your home will also love you!