Originally posted by Rising Damp:
quote:
Originally posted by Cypriana:
Expecting the report tomorrow . It apparently says minor subsidence not requiring underpinning . The drain exploration has been done and came out as no problem .
If the damage is not too serious,what happens if the flat owners decide not to claim and pay for repairs themselves. Who pays for the structural and drain surveys commissioned by the insurance company? Did ringing the insurance company to tell them what had happened constitute/start a claim process?
Second question, if the only action is monitoring the cracks then presumably that means they cant cosmetically repair the damage.They have to live with the cracks for a few years? Who pays for the surveys in that instance - when you dont know if youre going to make a claim til the results of the monitoring?
I know we should wait until we actually have the report in front of us, Im just trying to get my head around as much as poss to deal with various scenarios incase we have to make quick decisions with the other 2 flat owners.
Anyone know if its common for insurance companies to have a 'pet' structural engineer who underestimate the repair needs so that the client decides to go ahead and not claim?
The property had minor subsidence around 10 years ago which was also dealt with without underpinning .
I would be a bit worried if this has happened before and it is still moving. The insurance company should be doing the monitoring through theri surveyors, but I would clarify their level of liablity under the policy. Subsidence is normally subject to an excess anyway so the policholders will be liable for costs up to the level of that excess. if after monitoring the building is found to be moving they should take more decisive action to stop movement but they normally try to avoid the costs of underpinning.
I would read the terms of the policy to see where you stand.
