Page 24 - Personal Underwriting Mandates & Guidelines - Binder - Version 3

Buildings and Household contents
Thatched lapa’s or outbuildings
○ If the surface area of a thatched lapa or outbuilding’s roof is greater than 15% of the main dwelling’s roofed area, the lapa/outbuilding must be rated and underwritten as thatch.
○ If the main dwelling is standard construction, both the main dwelling and the lapa/outbuilding must be captured as separate risks with the correct construction noted for each. (Should the lapa/outbuilding have no electrical installations then no further action is required. If there are electrical installations, for example for a thatched cottage, a surge arrester or lightning conductor may be required.)
○ If the main dwelling is also of thatch construction, there is no requirement to load the lapa/outbuilding as a separate risk as the entire risk will be rated as non-standard construction. All the thatch warranties will apply.
Thatch surveys and questionnaires
All thatched main dwellings with a sum insured up to the Risk Acceptance Limit must have a completed thatch questionnaire and where possible, photos of the thatch must be provided. Depending on the information provided in the questionnaire a survey may be required by Hollard. The survey is a verification process and must indicate the condition, maintenance and age of the thatched roof as well as protection present at the risk address.
Non-standard outbuildings/Zozo huts/Wendy houses
In some instances a standard construction home is exposed to the risk of fire because of non-standard structures on the premises. Non-standard outbuildings, Zozo huts and Wendy houses, do not need to be rated as non-standard construction, unless the surface area of the structure's roof is greater than 15% of the main dwelling's roofed area. In this instance, the structure must be rated and underwritten as non-standard. Both the main building and the non- standard construction must be captured as separate risks with the correct construction noted for each. All the non- standard warranties will apply. (These risks are underwritten in the same manner as described under "Thatch lapa’s or outbuildings" above.)
Carports and shade netting
Carports and shade netting do not significantly increase the risk and will therefore not need be rated as non-standard construction.
LP gas
If LP gas is used on the premises it is important for the owner(s) of a building(s) to hold a certificate of compliance. In addition to this, from a safety, legal and claims perspective, it is important to ensure that the gas installer is properly licensed. Failure to do so could result in a claim being rejected.
Where LP gas containers are permanently installed inside a building, the type of building and the maximum corresponding size of the container must be adhered to as follows:
○ flats/apartments – a maximum of nine (9) kilograms (kg) per flat/apartment
○ houses – a maximum of 19 kg per house.
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