Check previous insurance claims when buying a house?

bluebelles

Is there some way of finding out if any major insurance claims were made on the house previously? If the owners had made a claim in the past, would the insurance hike on that property be passed along to new owners?

Victor

It would be difficult to find out. Insurance files aren't public documents.

It might be useful to check the planning applications on the property for any suggestion of issues.

You could also ask your solicitor for the other side to certify that here has never been a fire, flooding, etc.

Ask for insurance quotes on the property.

If there have been problems, e.g. flooding from a river, the insurers won't insure that risk, unless there has been flood prevention works. If it was flooding from a tap left on, that risk would (hopefully) follow the occupier. Flooding form a burst pipe due to frost could be mitigated if it can be demonstrated that all the pipework has been insulated.

Many other claims would follow the occupier, not the property, unless there was a potential problem with the property, e.g. all the electrical systems in the estate were considered a fire hazard by the insurers, the stairs were defective, etc.

ted1

Just use the online quote systems to see what they cone back with then try a house a few doors down. You'll know straight away if its being loaded.