Contents Insurance-MUST I declare my flat roof?

Smodlet

There is far more likelihood of water ingress from a flat roof than there is from a sloping one, just as there is a greater fire risk from a sloping thatched roof than there is from a tiled/slated roof. I have yet to see any insurance policy, buildings and/or contents which does not make a whole list of assumptions, one of which is that your property is not located within a flood plain. If it is and you lie about it, then claim for flood damage, what do you think the insurance company should do? Pay out anyway? Common sense becomes a rarer commodity by the minute, not by the day.

Dawn248

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'll get onto them and see how much more it's going to cost me. Will post on here when I find out in case it's of any help to anyone else.

BobQ

Dawn248 wrote: »

I have got a quote for contents insurance from Co-Op. Just got to the 'buy now' box and it has a list of assumptions, one of which is that the properties roof is mostly tiles or slates.
My building is an old art decor affair with a flat roof. Do I risk it and buy or call them and get it cranked up to an unmanageable price? If I have to claim, is anyone actually going to check on the roof?

It's only contents insurance, not buildings, any advice?

(a) tell the truth, in life but especially to an insurer of anything you value.

I have been insured at a property with a flat roof. It is not difficult to get insurance. The insurer will probably know in any case if they have ever insured any of the houses with a similar number.


(b) Be clear what you mean. If the whole roof is flat they want to know. When there are heavy gales it is not uncommon for the wind to get under the edge and rip a large section away which will be a significant risk. But modern materials are more resilient. A problem with flat roofs is that people forget about them until they get a leak. You need to think about replacing them if they have reached the end of their life. Most flat roofs are only warrantied for 10-15 years. After 10 years (latest) they need to be checked for cracks in the felt.

(c) If you have just got an extension that has a flat roof or a dormer window, you may be able to say truthfully that it is mostly tiled. But you still need to check the flat roof, particularly as it ages and if you cannot easily see it.

Dawn248

Just to update, I had to call the insurance co (the Co-Op) and the policy was £20 more expensive due to the flat roof, Not bad at all and better than I was expecting. Probably did some damage to my phone bill though, I was on there an absolute age!
Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.