Telegraph
Burnt by insurers after our house went up in smoke – Telegraph
- Always make sure you have adequate buildings cover. Factor in costs such as up to £20,000 for six months or more of scaffolding around your building, or 10pc of rebuilding costs for a surveyor’s professional fees.
- If in doubt, look for an insurer with an unlimited rebuilding costs. Be aware that the insurer may then apply tight controls on the rebuilding, such as by choosing your builder for you.
- Always read the policy small print and, if there are conditions attached to your cover, meet them: if the burglar waltzed in through an open window you said had a five-lever mortice lock on it, you are in trouble.
- A loss assessor on your side might save you hassle.
- If you’ve suffered a catastrophic fire or flood, go around the site the next day with a camera and take lots of pictures of everything you see, no matter how badly damaged: it’s the next best thing to having a receipt. And don’t throw anything away, even the ruined carpets and settees, until the loss adjuster has seen them.