Insurance Claims

It is an unfortunate fact that a substantial number of properties are damaged by fire, in some instances, where the fire occurs in an adjoining property.

Fire damage to a property is in most occurrences causes significant structural damage, what most people do not realise is that even if the fire is extinguished quickly and only a small area of damage occurs, consequential smoke damage that spreads throughout the property together with the water damage caused when the fire brigade to extinguish the fire further increases damage and the problems of reinstating the property to its pre-fire condition.

The difficulty of reinstating a fire damaged property will vary enormously depending on the form of construction, age of the building and the extent of the fire. In some instances it is more economical to demolish what is remaining and to reconstruct a new building.

It is a requirement of all buildings insurance policies where significant structural damage to a property has occurred to allow the insured to appoint an independent professional advisor. The cost of employing the professional is recoverable from the insurance policy, therefore the clients can be reassured that the property will be reconstructed to the highest possible standards within the quickest time without being liable for any fees.

Subsidence

Following many years of very dry summers, damage to buildings due to desiccation of the soil has made the news, with insurance companies being inundated with claims.

Damage can occur in a building when the ground on which it is founded dries out and shrinks, reducing the support to the foundations. This can result in substantial cracking to the building's fabric and, in some cases, damage to the foundations themselves.

Damage to buildings can also occur due to leaking drains, proximity of trees, unstable ground or underground operations such as mining or tunnelling. In all instances, it is essential to identify the cause of the damage before deciding on a remedy.

In some instances, such as underground working, liability for damage may rest with others and therefore it is vitally important to ensure that you are properly represented.

CPM Surveys Ltd have over 30 years experience in dealing with subsidence claims, and can take away some of the stress such situations can cause.