Frequently asked questions

1. Can I make a claim for lost rent if my property is so badly damaged that it cannot be lived in?
2. What can I do to protect my property?
3. When is a Property Owner liable for an injury to a tenant or visitor to the rental property?
4. How do I make a claim?
5. How do I ensure that my sums insured are adequate?

1. Can I make a claim for lost rent if my property is so badly damaged that it cannot be lived in?

Many Property Owners insurance policies offer Loss of Rent as an optional cover. Cover is provided in the event that your property is so badly damaged (by an insured event) that it cannot be lived in, or access to the property is denied. In this event the policy will cover the rent that you would normally receive from the property for up to a specific length of time or up to the total sum insured, or until such time as someone can live in the building.

2. What can I do to protect my property?

Insurance is available so that in the event of an insured loss you will be protected and covered. In order to reduce the chances of a loss you can however take certain steps to help. These include:

• Make your property more secure by installing deadlocks on doors and locks on the windows.
• Install an alarm system. You may qualify for a lower premium because you have reduced the risk of loss through theft.
• Remove potential fire hazards from around the outside of the house as well as inside - particularly where any waste is sorted.
• Make sure you have working smoke detectors and a suitable fire extinguisher. Put the extinguisher somewhere visible and regularly maintain it.

3. When is a Property Owner liable for an injury to a tenant or visitor to the rental property?

To be held responsible for an injury on the premises, the Property Owners or property manager must have been negligent in maintaining the property, and that negligence must have caused the injury. Typical circumstances would be:

• It was the Property Owners responsibility to maintain the portion of premises that caused the accident.
• The Property Owners failed to take reasonable steps to avert the accident.
• Fixing the problem (or at least giving adequate warnings) would not have been unreasonably expensive or difficult.
• A serious injury was the probable consequence of not fixing the problem (the accident was foreseeable).

4. How do I make a claim?

We understand that when you make a claim, there's a good reason and that you want it to be sorted as quickly and easily as possible. Just contact us and we will carry out the necessary investigations and advise you accordingly.

5. How do I ensure that my sums insured are adequate?

It is essential that the insurance is arranged to cover the full rebuilding value of the property. We can assist you by arranging for a re-valuation of the property, after which the sums insured can be amended as necessary.