When it comes to church boundary walls, Edwards always receives lots of questions about what is and isn’t covered. Our claims manager Elaine explains everything you need to know.
A boundary wall is any structure which separates your property from neighbouring properties, including high or low walls, fences and hedges.
Customers often ask whether their boundary wall is covered under their Church Insurance policy, usually because they have found a crack in it or have noticed it is leaning. The answer depends on the reason for the damage.
General disrepair
Unfortunately, there is no cover for general wear and tear or lack of maintenance. It is recommended you make sure the boundary walls are in good order throughout the year.
Hit by a vehicle
If a vehicle hits the boundary wall, then there would be cover under the Impact peril of the policy. The make, model, colour and registration number of the vehicle would be required as well as the name of the driver and their motor insurers, so ensure you take this information down in the event of an accident.
This will enable your insurers to pursue the third party motor insurers on your behalf. It is also helpful if you take photos of the vehicle and damage caused, and provide at least two estimates for repairing
the wall.
5 Top Tips: Ground Maintenance
Here’s how you can help prevent issues in your churchyard:
Research your material
Boundary wall structures could be made from different kinds of stone, brick, wood or something else entirely, all of which need different care. The lifespan of wooden fence panels and posts can be extended with regular staining, while excessive moisture can damage stone.
Choose repair materials carefully
While all materials will deteriorate with age, inappropriate treatments are a common reason for accelerated decay. Stone and brick are relatively soft and porous materials. If they are repaired or filled with hard, impervious mortars, or sealed with protective coatings, moisture will be unable to evaporate, and they will deteriorate.
Weed regularly
Creeping plants and weeds can worm their way into cracks and defects, causing them to become much worse. Common self-clinging climbers such as ivy can cause structural damage and subsidence. Regular weeding and gardening should keep threatening plants at bay.
Let lichens be
Though you may panic at the sight of biological growth, such as lichens, there is no need to attempt to remove them. Aggressive cleaning methods can cause the roughening of stone surfaces, which can then accelerate natural decay.
Watch the weather
The earlier you catch a crack or other problem, the easier it is likely to be to repair. There’s no substitute for regularly casting an eye over your boundary walls, especially after high winds, storms, or icy frosts which can cause flaws to expand.