An old family friend of ours used to say that flat roofs were “the work of the devil”. They would leak and whilst they were cheaper to build, usually had to be replaced much sooner than a conventional roof.
That was a while ago and whilst roof construction techniques have improved, flat roofs still create their own insurance issues. So if you have a flat roof at home or at your business, then here are a few pointers you should be aware of :
- Does your insurer know you have a flat roof? They are not usually regarded as “standard construction” and may increase the cost of your insurance.
- If they don’t know and you suffer storm damage, you may not be fully insured.
- Check your policy to see if you have a “flat roof condition” or something similar. This will probably require you to have the building inspected at certain intervals by a builder or surveyor, and any repairs completed straight away.
- If you don’t keep the roof in good condition, you may not get a claim paid in full.
If you have any queries, talk to your broker or insurer.