All Topics / General Property / Unlawful / unapproved structures insurance

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  • Profile photo of woodyhwoodyh
    Member
    @woodyh
    Join Date: 2011
    Post Count: 2
    May 4, 2011 - 5:07 am

    Hi Everyone-
    Sorry for this kind of post as my first one!

    I had a query relating to how insurance generally would cover a pergola if it joined two separate properties.

    6m long, laserlite roof, fairly good construction, connected from single storey eaves to a wooden ledger along the side of a freestanding double brick house.

    I'm quiet happy for it to stay there as it poses no problem for me function-wise, but am not familiar with fire regulations- is there any risk involved with fire, would their insurance cover it and would my insurance be affected?

    Thanks in advance for any advice,
    Woodyh

    Profile photo of Mick CMick C
    Participant
    @shape
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 1,099
    May 4, 2011 - 6:26 am

    Do you own both home?
    If you dont – then the insurance would NOT cover the pergola as it’s consider a common area

    If you do own both properties then speak to your insurer to get it added to the insurance.

    Example:

    You own house A, you share a driveway with House B…the drive way is consider a separate entity called “AB” and your insurance docs will only state it insures Home A only!

    P.s the above answ is based on the home being torrent title and no body corp. Every insurance policy is different so best to ring your provider and find out as well…

    Regars
    Michael
    ** i use to be a insurance broker…before going to the “greener” side of things of becoming a finance broker :)

    Mick C | Shape Home Loans
    http://www.shapehomeloans.com.au/
    Email Me | Phone Me

    Same Banks. Better Rates. Served With a Passion.

    Profile photo of woodyhwoodyh
    Member
    @woodyh
    Join Date: 2011
    Post Count: 2
    May 4, 2011 - 8:41 am

    Thanks very, very much for the information Michael, it's hard to find it on the net as most of the questions relate to if you owned the pergola and it's your policy.

    I own one, neighbour owns pergola which is on her backyard land.  She bought it with house (that's what I've been informed) and it's attached to my house (haven't been aware of it due to structure of houses).

    I was just worried that an insurance company might have a clause making one or both insurance policies for each house void if it was attached to my house, creating some kind of breach or contain flames.

    I also wasn't sure what attention they paid to additions etc (ie, building code, council approval etc)

    It's good to see insurance policies vary as it would be good to find one that supports this.

    I can attach an overhead layout anyone needs a better visualisation.

    Regards,
    Woody

    Profile photo of Mick CMick C
    Participant
    @shape
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 1,099
    May 4, 2011 - 1:39 pm

    Hi woody,

    In that case, your insurance may ( but most likely wont) cover the pergola. What i know for sure is they wont cover the pergola for legal liability ( ie if it fell onto someone) .

    Your situation is very common for “shared driveways” – in your case you would either:
    1. Find a separate insurer who will JUST cover the pergola for legal liability etc
    2. Find a strata insurance to cover both place + pergola ( a bit stupid and expensive, and may degrade the value of your home)
    3. Get the pergola OFF your side or make it free standing. lol

    Either way, there be some cost involved that you and your neighborer would have to look at.

    Regards
    Michael

    Mick C | Shape Home Loans
    http://www.shapehomeloans.com.au/
    Email Me | Phone Me

    Same Banks. Better Rates. Served With a Passion.

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