Homeowners insurance and body corporates

[GreGorGy]

I have only ever owned houses so I do not know the answer to this:

In a complex (flats, townhouses, whatever) the bond does not mention insurance but I am led to believe that the complex carries this. So, if the oven is fried (so to speak) can this be claimed and from whom?

 

[TheMightyP]

Yes, the body corporate is supposed to have an insurance policy that is similar to home owners insurance. The policy itself will determine exactly what it covers. Speak to your chairperson or managing agent. As a member of the body corporate you should be able to get a copy of the policy to see what it covers.

 

[GreGorGy]

Yes, the body corporate is supposed to have an insurance policy that is similar to home owners insurance. The policy itself will determine exactly what it covers. Speak to your chairperson or managing agent. As a member of the body corporate you should be able to get a copy of the policy to see what it covers.

Thanks Mighty - it is my GF's place and last night when I switched her oven on, everything else in the house (except the oven) went off. I will tell her to find her documents in this regard.

 

[Cius]

Body corporates are responsible for insuring the common property and the walls of your home. So if your house burns down the BC insurance pays for the rebuilding etc. Household content insurance is up to individuals. So if your stove burns out or you get robbed its your issue. There are a few special cases however such as roof leaks and geysers which are normally covered but the BC but not out of insurance, just out of budget as I understand it.

 

[GreGorGy]

Body corporates are responsible for insuring the common property and the walls of your home. So if your house burns down the BC insurance pays for the rebuilding etc. Household content insurance is up to individuals. So if your stove burns out or you get robbed its your issue. There are a few special cases however such as roof leaks and geysers which are normally covered but the BC but not out of insurance, just out of budget as I understand it.

If the stove/oven is a built-in fixture, does this change things?

 

[Messugga]

Body corporates are responsible for insuring the common property and the walls of your home. So if your house burns down the BC insurance pays for the rebuilding etc. Household content insurance is up to individuals. So if your stove burns out or you get robbed its your issue. There are a few special cases however such as roof leaks and geysers which are normally covered but the BC but not out of insurance, just out of budget as I understand it.

In my personal experience, the BC is responsible for everything not inside your walls and beneath your ceiling. If your geyser goes or a pipe bursts, the BC can claim from their insurance, provided that such insurance exists. The stove dying, I suspect is your problem as home owner to deal with.

 

[Brieuse]

If the stove/oven is a built-in fixture, does this change things?

I think it should be considered a fixture, thus will be covered. Put in a claim, worst they can do is say no.

 

[Brieuse]

In my personal experience, the BC is responsible for everything not inside your walls and beneath your ceiling. If your geyser goes or a pipe bursts, the BC can claim from their insurance, provided that such insurance exists. The stove dying, I suspect is your problem as home owner to deal with.

Fixtures are included in body corporate insurance

 

[AnibugZA]

The Stove is your issue. So is an electrical problem as the circuitry of the unit is considered part of the interior of the unit.

Body Corporate/Bond Insurance only covers the physical structure of the building and the geyser, and any damage that may result to the interior ceilings and walls as a result of a failure of the physical structure or geyser.

Example: Geyser pops, destroys the ceiling boards, skirtings, and damages the carpets. Insurance will fix those things as they are part of the physical structure, even though they are internal. Similar for if your roof tiles blow off during a storm and it rains into your unit.

Everything else within the walls of the unit is your own problem. If the water damage soaked your PC or such, that is up to you to replace or have insurance on. If lightning strikes your house and blows your PC, that's your insurance matter to deal with. If the lightning strike caused a fire, however, that damages the physical structure, that would be covered by the bond/body corporate insurance.

Source: I have lived in a sectional title unit for 5 years and have experienced the roof tiles issue, the geyser popping issue, and have a semi-working stove unit that occasionally trips the power. I have to fix the stove myself.

 

[GreGorGy]

Thanks Ani

The question has been which insurance to claim from. She has a policy but can't find the docs (they're in the garage which is in a state) for inside things. I wondered at the time if it was this or the body corp.

We'll see what happens then.

 

[AnibugZA]

I wouldn't bother claiming, especially if it will affect your premiums or such.

Just get a stove/electrical repairman in to check out the issue and fix it.
It may just be the fuse on the stove has gone, or the fuse in the DB is going/has gone.
It could be a short or bad connector.