No less a person than Mrs Beeton, writing in her Book of Household Management, reminds us of the importance of adequate insurance for a conservatory.
- Mrs Beeton aged 26.
She quotes a case, “in which a glass door led into a conservatory, rendering it, according to the view of the company, “hazardous,” and consequently voiding the policy, when a fire did occur, the company paid, rather than try the question; but even after the fire they demurred, when called upon, to make the description correct and indorse on the policy the fact that the drawing-room opened through a glass door into conservatories.”
Amusingly, Mrs Beeton goes on to say, “the introduction of gunpowder, saltpetre, or other inflammable articles into the premises without notice, very properly “voids the policy.”
Before going on to recommend, “The usual course is to give notice of all alterations, and have them indorse on the policy, as additions to the description of the property.” A view with which we heartily concur.
Of course it’s not just the addition of the conservatory that needs to be noted, it’s also important that the Buildings Sum Insured is revised to include the rebuilding cost of the conservatory which may be more than the sum you paid to have it constructed.
Your contents policy may also need to be revised and in view of the extra glazed area, windows and doors, it’s important extra security precautions are taken and that secure locks are installed. A subject I will return to another day.
