Q&A on Insurance Cover for Plumbing

Below are a series of questions asked by one of our owners regarding plumbing cover by our insurance company - This is the current cover for 2017.

Since these questions pop up from time to time it is well worth posting both the questions and the answers.

 

Q. Does this policy only cover for replacement or repair of the geyser? Would resulting damage be covered too (such as damage to carpets, cupboards, water damage to paint on ceilings/walls).

A. The geyser is covered for a burst geyser with an excess on a 150lr  of R2000.00 and to a total of R6800.00. Damage to fitted carpets, built in cupboards, walls and ceilings is covered with an excess of .

Q. Do they cover for repair/replacement of leaking pipes in walls? And resulting damage of pipe leaks?  

A. No cover for pipes repair in walls. and no insurance company covers repairs and maintenance. They only pay out due to an event which causes damage. Excess is R1250.00.

 

Q. Is this insurance compulsory, or are owners allowed to insure the structure of their unit with other insurance companies, for instance through the financial institution they are bonded with. I’ve heard of owners that have taken other/additional insurance out, but not sure this is legal. Insurance companies always ask “Is this property covered/insured by others”.

A. In terms of the Sectional Title Act 95 of 1986 the complex it is compulsory to be insured as detailed in the act. This is why there are special insurance policies for sectional title complexes. Owners take out extra insurance on the Body Corporate policy to cover expensive built in cupboards etc.

 

Q. Can individual owners apply for coverage of additional items such as pipes if not included in the insurance already (with Company Rietvlei is insured with)? Or is it possible that the Body Corp can maybe look into other companies that include pipes and resulting damage?

A. No insurance company will cover pipes leaking to be repaired only the damage that is caused by the leak.