Page 28 - FWG Issue 11 December 2021

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Maintenance Matters

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

Fourways Gardens • 26 • December 2021