Reopening Policy Conditions ‘Housekeeping’

It’s great to be able to welcome back your patrons as the lockdown is easing but its also a good time to ensure that your housekeeping is up to date.  During the course of lockdown the terms and conditions of your Insurance policy may have been the last thing on your mind.  It is however vital that you continue to comply with these conditions to ensure that you are fully covered in the event of a loss.

Your policy is likely to have specific requirements in relation to the Inspection and Cleaning of Roofs and Gutters similar to the one below:

Inspection and Cleaning of Roofs and Gutters Condition

It is a Condition Precedent to Our liability to indemnify You in relation to any claim under Standard Contingencies Storm Flood that You must ensure that

1. roof areas valley gutters and downpipes be inspected at least every 6 months and any blockages or accumulation of loose debris of any description be removed
2. all gutters and other roof drainage services be maintained in efficient and effective working order
3. a record of such inspections shall be kept and such record shall be made available to Us for inspection at any time during the currency of this policy
4. all Stock in Trade and goods in trust be stored at least 100 millimeters (4 inches) off the floor

If any part of our venue has a flat roof there could be an additional condition such as

Flat Felt Roof Condition

It is a Condition Precedent to Our liability to indemnify You in relation to any claim under Standard Contingencies Storm Flood on the condition that the felt on timber portion of the roof shall be inspected on an annual basis by a competent roofing contractor and any recommendations are to be implemented immediately

A minimum excess of £500 shall apply in the event of any claim caused by Storm or Flood involving any flat roofed portion of the Premises

If you carry out any deep fat frying within the premises then you should ensure that the ducting and flues are cleaned at regular intervals:

 Deep Fat Frying Condition

It is a Condition Precedent to Our liability to indemnify You in relation to any claim under Standard Contingency Fire that

1.      all deep fat frying ranges/apparatus are fitted with

1. a thermostat arranged to prevent the temperature of cooking oils or fats rising above 205 degrees celsius
2. an automatic cut-out arranged to cut off the heat source in the event of failure of the thermostat

2.      all deep fat frying equipment including flues and exhaust ducting are securely fixed and free from
contact with combustible material

3.      any extraction hoods, canopies, filters and grease traps are cleaned at least once a month

4.      the entire length of any flue or extraction ducts are cleaned at least once every six months

5.      all oil or greasy waste and cloths are kept in metal receptacles with metal lids and removed from the

building at the end of each working day and from the Premises at least once a week

6.      any small portable frying apparatus must be cleaned monthly and a record maintained that this has
been done

7.      suitable fire extinguishers and/or blankets are kept close to the equipment and cooking areas and
staff are trained to use them

8.      during deep fat frying and cooking no equipment is left unsupervised or unattended

In relation to all these conditions the overriding requirement is that the date of these inspections/actions are recorded and any necessary remedial work carried out promptly. Insurers may request evidence of compliance with the policy conditions before any claim can be progressed.   

Check your policy wording now to ensure that you are familiar the requirements and if you have any queries in this respect please contact your Account Handler.