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Was your property built, converted or extended within the last 10 years? Does it suffer from latent defects but benefits from an insurance backed guarantee? If you answered yes then our latent defects claim management experts may be able to help.

Property Defects

Property Defects are insurance and warranty claims specialists offering a full claims management as well as a reinstatement service. If your property suffers from latent defects, subsidence or heave we can manage your insurance or warranty claim on your behalf. Our experienced professionals are here to negotiate on your behalf to ensure that your claim is settled fairly by ensuring you receive all that you are entitled to. With that full entitlement you and property defects can fix confidently repair your property.

Property Defects can help with a wide variety of issues on your property.

Latent Defects

Latent Defects are classed as a fault in a property that could not be detected during a thorough inspection. This essentially means underlying structural issues and other issues that cannot be easily physically looked upon.

There are many types of latent defects, including subsidence, damp, drainage failure and heave. These are a result of incorrect craftsmanship, a failure in the building materials used in construction. Building materials such as weak concrete and shallow construction contribute to these defects. These defects can be claimed upon as the details were not disclosed when the property was purchased.

Damp and Drainage

Damp is caused by a variety of factors such as underground drainage systems, malfunctioning plumbing and faulty roofing. Property Defects have experts who specialise in the removal of damp anywhere in your property without causing any structural damage. This is a serious latent defect due to its toxic nature and can result in sickness for those who spend a large amount of time near the damp.

Drainage failure can significantly affect the stability and position of your property. Failure occurs when a drain is incorrectly constructed or an event has caused it to become damaged. Drainage failures leads to water escape causing soil to be washed away underneath the property.

Subsidence and Heave

Subsidence is the shift of a property due to defects in the foundation i.e. shallow foundation or poor construction. Shallow foundations are also a result of older construction dates, foundations used to be constructed to a shorter depth then what is required in modern day construction. Subsidence results in cracks and instability for a property resulting in possible damage to water, electricity and gas mains.

Trees can cause significant subsidence to your property. Tree types such as willows and oak trees have a large root structure meaning they can be more damaging to your property as their roots dig into the foundation of your home.

Heave is the upwards shift of a property due to upward ground momentum. This can occur from wet weather on dirt consisting of a large quantity of clay. This sudden change in foundation location can just like subsidence result in damage to utilities.

For more information on subsidence check out this website.

Where To Find Help

If you are unfortunate enough to have any of these latent defects within your property feel free to contact us for help and advice. We are available to contact 24/7 on 0800 043 4999 or simply visit https://www.propertydefects.co.uk/ to submit a claim. We will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss the damage caused to your property and how we may be able to help.

If your property has suffered from significant insured damage, dealing with your insurer can be frustrating and very time consuming. Independent loss adjusters or even loss assessors may be able to help you to achieve your full claim entitlement. This can be obtained with much less inconvenience to you by managing your insurance claim on your behalf.

Typically, when you approach your insurance company to declare your claim, you may be passed around from pillar to post. It can be frustrating trying to find out how you claim is progressing. If every time you get in touch with your insurer you end up speaking to somebody different each time.

You may go over the same conversation again and again. Then you find out your insurance claim is still at the same stage it was last time you called. Why would you put yourself through this when there are professional independent loss adjusters that can do this on your behalf?

Your Very Own Insurance Claims Handler

Wouldn’t it make sense to have a dedicated insurance claims manager working for you instead who is controlling the situation? By employing your own insurance claims management company, you could have your own dedicated loss adjuster. They will be the point of call to all your queries throughout your claim.

Not sure about something regarding your claim? Pick up the phone and your dedicated loss adjuster will take the time to explain the situation and put your mind at ease. When appointing your own loss adjusters, you should look out for reviews and testimonials from previous clients. You may be able to find this information either on their own website, public review sites such as Trustpilot or even Google.

Just like with most types of business, not all loss adjusters will have a perfect review score. If they did you may find it a bit manufactured or suspicious. Instead, take the reviews at face value and make your own opinion based on what previous customers have had to say about them.

A good loss adjuster will be one that stands up for their client. One who is not afraid to second guess the decisions they your insurer may initially take and negotiate towards a much fairer settlement. A reputable loss adjuster may even offer you some help and advice before you sign up to their services.

Regulated Loss Adjusters

Many loss adjusters who are employed by your insurer may not be regulated. When deciding on employing your own loss adjuster it is always beneficial to look for good credentials. This may be in the form of a CILA member (Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters) or a company that is FCA regulated (Financial Conduct Authority).

A great loss adjuster will be able to have a good overall understanding of the losses that you have incurred. Difference causes of damage can reflect greatly on your final settlement figure. When your property has been damaged by fire, water damage generally occurs as a result of extinguishing it.

Flood damage is one that can take weeks before any repair work can be undertake. Water damaged properties need to be dried out with dehumidifiers. Water damaged items will need to be cleaned and repaired and placed in secure storage. Your loss adjuster will also have to calculate the cost of replacement items that cannot be repaired to the previous condition.

For impact damage or subsidence your loss adjuster would call on the assistance of a surveyor in order fully evaluate the full extent of the damage. They would be able to submit a detailed assessment to your insurer with the recommended costings to fully repair your property.

Loss Adjusting Fees

So how much does it cost to hire the services of an independent loss adjuster who manages the claim on your behalf? Loss adjusters will generally charge about 10 percent of the final settlement figure. They also will not charge you any upfront fees.

Reputable loss adjusting companies will be in contact with networks of qualified builders. Loss Adjusters experienced in repairing fire and flood damaged properties. Some loss adjusting firms will even waive their client’s fees based on them agreeing to appoint their recommended contractor networks.

Defining Latent Defects: Warranty & Insurance Claims Help