Insurance Considerations when Adapting a Home For Special Needs
Around 20 million people aged over eighteen have reported some difficulty in walking, particularly upstairs. This figure represents around 7.1% of the institutionalized persons with disabilities. When it comes to finding suitable housing, people with disabilities are often hit the hardest as properties are built to suit a general public and individual disabilities are not often catered to. Thanks to legislation, people with disabilities are able to make the required changes, whether they rent or purchase the property but within the legal framework.
Building Permits and Permissions
One of the fundamental principles of insuring a property is to ensure that it complies with the law. For homeowners and tenants who wish to make changes to a property, it is important to bear in mind that permits and permissions might be required before work can commence. All work done in and around the home should comply with the rules set out for that particular property and general housing laws. Things to consider include not obstructing walkways or doorways, ensuring that additional railing is fitted securely, and more.
Get The Professionals Involved
The structural safety of modifications is essential to ensure the safety of the occupants of the property. It is also important to use professional workmen to ensure that if there is a claim at a later stage, that it’s honored. There are many things that can be changed in a property to make it better suited to those with restricted mobility, such as a ramp on the stairs and even specialized equipment to use the bath or shower. Structural changes that may need to take place is the addition of ramps and rails, the lowering of countertops, specialized sinks and faucets, and more.
Proper Communication With the Insurance Company
For insurance companies, the decision as to whether to insure a property or not is all about risk. This means that work done in a property that might change the structure or safety rating of it could inevitably change the insurance company’s willingness to insure it. Homeowners will need to remain in contact with their insurance representative to ensure they’re on track. In many instances, a site inspector might be required to check on the progress and whether it’s within the disability modifications guidelines. If there is a change to the risk of the property, clients will need to expect higher insurance installments.
Those who need to make structural changes to their property should contact their insurers first, as there might be a special clause that covers the costs of these changes.