Homeowners insurance: Make certain your insurer can't reject your storm damage claim

It's only logical to assume that paying for homeowners insurance would spare you from financial disaster if a huge storm caused huge damage to your home.

However, many thousands of people have had their claims rejected because walls or roofs were not built according to regulations, or hadn't been maintained, says Wendy Knowler.

RELATED: Homeowners insurance: Push back if claim rejected as 'wear and tear' and you know it's not

On The Money Show this week, the consumer journo focuses on the latest case reported to her which she is busy following up on.

This home owner came up short when she submitted a claim after the big hail storm in Pretoria just over a month ago only to have it rejected, partly, because apparently the slope of the roof wasn't sufficient for the runoff of the water the storm brought, "never mind the huge hailstones blocking the runoff!".

The insurer said the roof of the house their client bought in 2021 had not been installed according to building regulations.

"This is even though they had the plans and city inspections and specifications all in order."

Knowler is going to ask this home owner to object to the finding and lodge a complaint with the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO).

"This is so common - you think you've got this massive cover and you're paying for it every month but you just don't have it, and that could wreck you financially."

Before you buy, get an independent assessment done of the property, is Knowler's advice. She says you need a company that can provide the assurance they have the expertise to think and act like an insurance assessor, go through the home and point out any weak points that would make you vulnerable.

"Pay them the few hundred rand, get the info you need and then make the necessary repairs (if you still want to buy it)."

Also, have your roof and gutters checked at least once a year, she urges.

"Have the invoices, so that if a claim IS rejected, you can say 'you're not going to catch me on a lack of maintenance - here's my proof that I've been maintaining my home'."

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