Buildings Insurance On Domestic Dwelling

[Stargazer]

Can anyone answer this please. On the inurance for a domestic dwelling is there a clause that excludes a claim if there is a mature tree within close proximity to the house?

[bhg481]

Only reading your policy can tell you that.

[EDDIE51]

it would depend on the individual policy , there is no rule on it.

[soapnumpty]

That wouldn't be a standard exclusion. I presume you are referring to a subsidence claim. most insurers have a computer database where they put in yours postcode and it tells them whether your property is at low, medium or high risk of subsidence. If it is medium or high they will probably ask you to fill in a questionnaire which would ask questions about trees within so many metres from your house, amongst other things. If you are unsure check your policy schedule to see if it contains such an exclusion. I would doubt it. Normally it's case that insurers would decide to give subsidence cover or not give it, depending on the risk. Or they may decide to give cover with an increased excess. If you have a large tree Near your property I would get advice on it. As a rough guide the roots are usually as long as the trees is high,and different trees have different water demands so some are more of a risk than others.

[tonyav]

When filling in on line forms on comparison sites I have found them to ask are there any trees within 12 metres ( I think ) of the property, also is there any water courses within a certain distance ( can't remember what that distance is though ).

[SirOracle]

This is not a standard exclusion on a Private Dwelling House comprehensive policy.

I am wondering what has precipitated your question.

If you are concerned then phone your Insurer,or even write to them so you have a copy of their answer.

[Stargazer]

The reason for my question is because I always go on to comparison sites each year to get the best price and one of the questions asks if there is a tree taller than *** and closer than *** to your property. I have alway filled it in as NO to both but my neighbours very tall tree is only about 2 metres from my attached garage. Will the fact that I have ticked NO invalidate my insurance should I make a claim? When I put in YES the quotations were noticeably higher. This is not my tree (is a tall conifer) and has no Tree Proptection Order on it but would cost a great deal to have cut down. It serves no purpose but as it was there when my neighbour bought their property, they don't want to face the cost of cutting it down?

[woofgang]

I think it would invalidate your insurance because you will have lied to the insurer and they tend to get a bit umpty when you do that.

[SirOracle]

If you always use comparison sites and take the cheapest option then the chances are that the "cover" that you have obtained is not the widest available on the market.

Insurance is no different to anything you buy whether it be a suit,butcher meat etc etc. Buy the cheapest and it very often turns out to be the dearest. Sadly this surfaces when it is time for the claim to be made.

However Woofgang is absolutely correct in that an Insurance contract is one of" the utmost good faith "and the whole truth must be told. Any other contract is governed by " Let the buyer beware ".8

[nawaz]

nice poooooooossssstttt

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Nawaz