Hi All
SWCAA are researching the possiblity of provinding insurance for communal huts.
The problem for individual huts is costs. Insurance companies seem to require stout construction for any insured hut (metal, stone or brick, tin roof etc.) and grills on windows, five-lever secure locks or shackles: these do not easily apply to ordinary allotment huts. Even then they charge £10 or more for each £100 of cover and you have to meet at least the first £100 of loss.

Another snag is proof of value of contents – invoices and original purchase documents are often demanded to give a replacement valuation, which will be cut back if you are under-insured. It seems likely that original documentation, identity numbers and codes will not be available. Especially not for equipment “inherited” by the member, as much of it often is.

But we continue our search.

Meanwhile we may be able to offer insurance for repairing a Communal Hut after vandalism: cover would be up to £3500 and buildings would need to be of stout construction and properly locked with window grills and secure roofing. This might cost not more than £30 per year and we need the name and postcode of the Field where each building stands. We can only offer this if enough people write in to request it and give the post code and Field name.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE LET OUR SECRETARY KNOW! Contact swc.aa@virgin.net quoting Communal Hut Insurance or write to SWCAA CIC, 22 Miller Crescent, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 7DZ or phone 01271 379997


Details of all our insurance can be found at http://www.allotmentssouthwest.org.uk/insurance.htm