Sectional Title - Sewage leak, and claiming from Insurance

[roadcat]

Hi All

I am chairman of my ST complex. We had a sewage blockage affecting a unit and because the plumber could not find the closest drain (I was in Oz for the week), they dug up half the unit's garden before they found it. Toys in the sewer.

The quotes for the repairs and garden are more than R15k. I asked our managing agent if we could claim from insurance and they replied it's not claimable.

Anyone with any experience in insurance and if sewerage issues can be claimed?

 

[Ancalagon]

Oh poo! That must have stank to high heaven!

Sorry I dont have anything meaningful to add.

 

[Skerminkel]

Have you checked the insurance policy? Sounds like exactly the type of thing you should be able to claim for. The problem is outside the unit. IIRC gardens are not part of the individual property, but the owner merely has exclusive use rights. The complex insurance should therefore cover the damage to communal property. Unless the plumber screwed up totally, they cannot claim he did more damage than he should have. By nature a blocked sewer line is an emergency and they cannot run around to try and find plans for sewer lines while sewerage is backing up into homes. Health risk and all.

 

[etwylite]

To the best of my knowledge. If its in the pipe directly from that unit then the unit is liable for the cost as its obviously as a result of their actions. If its in the main pipe then its a Body corporate expense.

Check your policy - but I think it would not be claimable as its "maintenance".