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Earthquake Insurance - Any Experiences with getting homes assessed?

speakerchalets98

Hello Greece Forum!


It has started to come clear to me, that many homes of 20+ years of age just do not have the necessary documents to prove they meet seismic regulations. And even if they did meet them when they were built, if the structural paperwork or tests were not then supplied, they probably are not going to get approved today. Which means I just cannot take out a home insurance policy with the earthquake insurance add-on.


I have spoken to locals, who just kind of laugh, and accept that this is mostly the norm. Looking around, some figures indicate only between 16%-20% of Greek homeowners even have insurance. The area I am interested in, Corinth, has had 3 medium quakes recently (1995,1999 and 2008).


So, to my question, does anyone here have experience of getting their home assessed, and then experience with making recommended improvements? I have already been given a guide price of up to €5,000 to carry out the assessments and tests to get the report. Never mind what it may find!


Thank you.

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concertina

I can private message you with how things are here,too much to put here,let me know if you want me private message you

speakerchalets98

@concertina

I accepted your contact request!

Apprenti

@speakerchalets98

Hello!

To be insured against seismic risks, a home must meet the anti-seismic standards in force at the time it was built. => it's not the easiest thing to prove without any documentation.

I was lucky: I received a structural vulnerability inventory sheet for my house when I bought it. 

This document was drawn up by an engineer during the administrative regularization of the house (because it no longer complied with its building permit). => I gave a copy to the insurance company. 

I can send you the document in PM if that helps


Rgds, T.

speakerchalets98

@Apprenti

Thank you for that information. We know the documents do not exist, the way they built the property and subsequently legalised it was not 'accurate'. They misrepresented the size of the property to avoid having to do the seismic tests and paperwork. Which is fine if you do not take out or need insurance, but it's a problem for me now, as I would want to take out insurance. So, just trying to get my head around what that might involve.

Apprenti

@speakerchalets98

You need to hire an engineer (civil/architect)! He'll do the paperwork for you.

By paperwork, il mean the "Δελτίο δομικής τρωτότητας αυθαιρέτων" . 

Template is online here:

This person should be memner of the "Technical Chamber of Greece" =>


You can ask your lawyer, he knows at least one of them!


Good luck.

speakerchalets98

@Apprenti

Have sent a message to them now.

speakerchalets98

@Apprenti

The seller is taking care of all this for us. They have engaged a civil engineer to undertake a seismic report, so that's a worry, and cost, off our shoulders. Our own civil engineer will review, so will an insurance broker.


Will update when all that has been completed.

JimJ

I have my (Bulgarian) properties insured via Intasure - they don't ask for any reports etc on the buildings.  Give them a shout - you've nothing to lose.


When I was burgled, their service was exemplary - and they even pointed out some extras I could claim for;I thought I was dreaming after previous experience with penny-pinching insurance companies....😁

speakerchalets98

@JimJ They so sound like the perfect insurance company! Thank you.