Property Damage Tips

The following are some property damage tips & advice that may come in useful to you in the future.

Fire

  • Install a smoke alarm in each room of your property.
  • Do not overload electrical sockets.
  • Keep all electrical cables away from cooker hobs and other heat sources.
  • Never refuel or move a gas or oil heater while it is switched on.
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended

Water & Flood Damage

  • Regularly maintain all wearable parts in bathrooms such as shower/bath seals, grout to tiling etc.
  • Insure all water tanks and pipes are properly lagged.
  • Leaks from pipes in your floor can cause extensive damage with water travelling throughout the property before being noticed. Have any damage professionally surveyed by PCLA.
  • Turn off your water supply if your property will be left vacant for a long period of time.
  • Ensure all drains around your property are clear and regularly maintained.
  • Soft furnishings, fabric, food and cosmetics will all be damaged by effluent from water. These will need to be professionally cleaned or replaced no matter what condition they appear to be in.

Learn more about flood damage.

Physical Risks

  • Maintain trees near your property. These can cause damage during storms and also other issues such as subsidence and cracking to underground services
  • Following a flood, people prone or vulnerable to infections should avoid the contaminated areas until clean-up has been completed.
  • Check roofs following storms. Many people don’t realise their roof has been damaged until rainwater penetrates at a later date.

Structural Problems

  • Within the first ten years of construction buildings typically settle into the ground. If you notice cracking after this or cracks getting wider contact PCLA for advice.
  • Trees close to the property can lead to subsidence. If a risk think about having these removed.
  • When purchasing a property have a full survey carried out to identify any issues. 

Insurance advice

  • It’s important to disclose any major changes to your property.
  • Always think about taking out accidental damage cover
  • Most policies have conditions regarding matching of items with some now offering separate cover for this
  • The cheapest insurance policy may not be the best. You can call PCLA for advice when taking out a policy.
  • It is your duty to ensure your sum insured is correct. Insurers can apply average to any claim settlement where the sum insured is inadequate
  • Most policies have exclusions for unoccupied premises
  • Always review your insurance annually.

You can read some of our most frequently asked questions here.

Types of Claims

We offer help and advice for all instances of Commercial or Domestic Property Damage. Learn more about the different types of insurance claims that PCLA can help you with by clicking the links below.

Gail Mccandless
Gail Mccandless
16/10/2023
Had a substantial leak in my house and a friend recommended Jordan. Jordan was great and handled everything from start to finish with my insurance company. Would definitely recommend.
Kevin Duffy
Kevin Duffy
16/10/2023
Jordan was really supportive and professional throughout the process, very knowledgeable, and always available to answer any queries we had, and he got us a great settlement
Pj
Pj
09/10/2023
Many thanks Greg for all your help and advice with my recent insurance claim it certainly made the process less stressful
kieran mcilvenna
kieran mcilvenna
27/09/2023
Very efficient & quick service
Carla Shortt
Carla Shortt
18/09/2023
I was recommended PCLA recently to handle my claim after I had a leak in my bathroom. After contacting them with the details Declan completely handled everything from start to finish. Within 3 weeks of making contact my claim was settled and funds in my account. Cannot recommend enough.
Raymond Hogan
Raymond Hogan
18/09/2023
Declan provided a fast, efficient and professional response to my initial enquiry regarding making an insurance claim. He handled all subsequent dealings with my insurance company and any additional outside bodies. I would have no reservation in recommending him and his organisation to anyone.
Cj McCullaugh
Cj McCullaugh
11/09/2023
Excellent professional service from Declan. My bathroom had a leak which caused a lot of damage, Declan called out to talk us through the process, he handled everything with the insurance company from start to finish. Declan was always reachable via telephone and kept me updated thought out the process, I was very happy with the final settlement. I would recommended!
Gerard McGrady
Gerard McGrady
31/08/2023
Great experience with Gregg and Declan. Attended my problem and put words into actions immediately. Even stayed on top of me to provide information to speed up the whole process. Great outcome!
Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews
30/08/2023
These guys were recommended to us by a friend. They looked after everything from start to finish. They were 100% professional during the entire process. Thank you.