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MAINTENANCE MATTERS

Failure to keep your home in good condition could see
your insurance claims rejected. LookSee.co.za explains. The OSTI explains: “In general, the ombudsman
will assess these matters by asking whether
the loss or damage would have occurred if
here’s nothing worse than having your storm-related damage. Pointing to changes in the property had been properly maintained.
property damaged and being told by weather patterns, the OSTI says it is expecting that If it clearly would have occurred even if the
Tyour insurer that the repairs are not catastrophic storm-related claims will become property had been adequately maintained, the
covered under your policy. prevalent. The ombudsman also notes that the ombudsman will usually uphold the claim.”
primary reason for the rejection of claims was
According to the Ombudsman for Short-Term policy exclusions for damage caused by defective KeepinG up with upKeep
Insurance (OSTI), the number of homeowner design, construction or workmanship; wear and Our homes are the biggest investment most of
complaints during the 2020 financial year came tear; and lack of building maintenance. us will ever make; however, many of us don’t pay
second only to motor vehicle complaints. Despite as much attention to maintaining this asset as
the high numbers, less than 11% of complaints As homeowners, it’s important to remember that we do our motor vehicles. Nevertheless, regular
were resolved in favour of the homeowner, the poor property maintenance often results in acts maintenance is a critical part of protecting and
lowest success rate across all categories. of nature claims being rejected. For instance, increasing the value of your investment.
if a tree falls through a wall during a storm, the
The majority of homeowner insurance disputes claim could be rejected if the insurer is able to Keeping your home in good condition not only
that come before the ombudsman relate to claims establish that the wall in question was not in lowers the likelihood of having an insurance
for damage caused by acts of nature, particularly good condition. claim rejected, it also protects against having

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 6 2021• 13