How home maintenance can help with insurance claims

At AAMI, we try to take care of your claims ASAP and with minimal hassle.

But in some cases a claim can be knocked back, or the amount of money we agree to pay out for it can be reduced. This can be because the damage being claimed for is the result of wear and tear, or gradual deterioration – which aren’t covered by our home insurance policies. Most other insurers have similar exclusions.

The good news is, taking care of a few simple checks around the home can help you spot minor issues before they become major ones. Once you’ve spotted them, you can start taking care of them – either yourself or with the help of a pro, depending on the circumstances.

Please note that claims can be declined, or settlements reduced, for reasons other than lack of maintenance. Performing checks like the ones below doesn’t guarantee that all those reasons can be avoided. But they’ll definitely reduce the odds of your home sustaining significant damage that you may not be able to claim for.

Checks you can perform around the home

These aren’t the only things worth checking – just a few pretty common ones. 

Is your roof in good condition?

A claim for storm damage can be affected if you have roof titles that were already broken before the event being claimed for. Broken tiles mean that severe weather can cause significant damage – in cases where, without those tiles being broken, your home would have remained structurally intact. Consider having a roofing pro inspect your roof from time to time, to check for any potential issues that could expose your home to damage during a storm. This will help you stay on top of any gradual wear and tear or existing damage.

If your roof isn’t tiled – for example, if it’s a tin, metal or Colourbond roof – check for rust and other signs of damage.

Are your gutters clogged with debris?

Clogged gutters can mean that water doesn’t drain away from your roof as easily as it should. If a sudden build-up occurs – for example, after a big storm – the excess water is left with nowhere to go. It can then drain into your ceiling, potentially causing internal damage.

AAMI Home Insurance policies don’t cover damage related to blocked gutters, as mentioned in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Check your gutters every now and then and take steps to keep them clear. Gutter guards can help you keep gutters tidy and reduce the build-up of debris.

Are your gardens overgrown?

Garden beds that have gotten out of control, if they’re close to the building, can cause moisture to seep in. They can also block external vents, encouraging the growth of mould. Make sure your gardens are kept neatly trimmed, and remove any plants that are blocking vents.

Trim back tree branches that are closer to your roof, or hanging over your home. Debris from these can easily fall into your gutter.
We don’t cover damage related to mould, or damage related to plant matter growing into the home – including gutters. So keeping your gardens tidy can reduce the risk of incidents for which you can’t claim.

To learn more about what is and isn’t covered by AAMI Home Insurance policies, refer to the policy documents, or read more at our Home Insurance info page.

AAMI Home Insurance

Read more:

• The home insurance claim assessment and repair process
• Protecting your home from water damage
• Home insurance renewal prices explained

Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available.
This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.