929 Insurance

We are restoring an old house in Appechio, Le Marche and have just been told by our geometra that we will be partly responsble for any accidents that may happen during the work. This seems odd as the builders and our geometra have insurance for this purpose.
We were advised that we could hand this responibility over to someone else for a fee, but as we seem to be handing out money left right and centre at the moment, I thought I'd try to sort the insurance issue myself. Does anyone know what kind of insurance is needed and approx price? :confused:

Category
Legal

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2005 - 08:44

Be VERY careful, if you are having all work done by a certified builder, and, you are doing this errr, "Legitimately", not trying to cut any corners, your builders insurance WILL cover any accident risks. I sometimes worry that people just accept what is said to them, I will leave it to other, better informed members of the forum to give you actual references to the law "Over to you Charles". BUT, sign nothing, be careful. By any chance, has either your agent, or the Geometra offered to take on the risk, for an additional fee???

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2005 - 09:39

Thanks GeorgeS. They didn't offer to take it on themselves but were talking of getting a third person to do it if we wanted it. We are doing everything by the book (and paying the price for it) with proper builders, approved of by the commune etc. and a number of projects from earthquake to plumbing/electrics to ensure there will be no problems when we move out there.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2005 - 10:08

There are several threads in a couple of the forums covering this issue, it is a disgrace that they should be trying to cheat you this way. If you click onto any of the posts by "Charles Joseph" click his name, then select the "read all posts by" option, I am pretty sure you will come across the information, sorry, but I can't do the research for you, I am somewhat tied up today
good luck.[url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=727[/url] try this link for a taster. :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2005 - 11:15

I suppose the main point is: do you have a responsabile dei lavori?
If so, the responsability is his. If not it yours. You have to make sure that all the health and safety instructions are applied on site.
I suppose you could appoint the foreman of the construction company as the responsabile dei lavori, but that would involve a fee.

Tricky...

Paola

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2005 - 11:22

george offers sonme common sense advise.... when the project was submitted to the commune the plans before they could be approved had to have attached the builder, the director of works and also proof that the work had a safety plan involved plus all insurance required... the person who accepted the role and was approved to be director of works gets payed a certain amount of money and this money that they charge you apart from all the overseeing construction type bits also includes the cost of insuring the site and the people on it...... this is one of the main reasons sited in most renovation projects as to why you can do none of the work yourself if you are into diy as their insurance does not cover non registered workers or working...... a somewhat new twist you have presented and i guess another new way of abstracting money...... third parties introduced after you have agreed the project unless exceptional should already have been costed in.... favorites that they offer are beam inspectors, humidity checkers and light inspectors...others include green type people...ie solar panels alternative heating methods... then there are geologists and seismic specialists.... i am sure the list could go on a lot longer.... its difficult though when doing something like this if things begin to go a bit astray... at least in your own mind..... be somewaht careful ...weather you have realised it or not you will most probably have signed papers that indicate if the project director of works does not continue you will have to pay him for loss of prospective earnings..... also before you can get rid of him or her you will have to appoint a new director.... and the project will not be released over to him / her until you pay and the new project manager will then have to resubmit the plans for which you will be charged and there will be a delay.... why i am saying all this is not to worry you further but it might be best to sort things out in a friendly way now and not start having doubts and worries over what is likely to be a long and stressful process for you... if you can keep this person on your side and if he is not a total sham of a geometra and you feel you can be friends with him dont rush into any arguements... just get your house rebuilt and then life will get better....

ps... hand out money only as per the schedule of work/payments... if you have not had this contracted in... then only pay when certain works are completed ....ie when roof is on i will pay you so much of the total.... make sure you keep back a large chunk as the completion payment

hope some of the above may help.... and that all turns out well

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/29/2005 - 16:54

Marie, I just replied on the same topic to another member of the forum. There are several insurance companies in Italy which can provide you with the proper advice, for free. I think that if you go to any branch of some of the biggest companies they will be of help. As far as I know the Italian insurance companies do not ask for specific certificates or statements concerning the status of the private buildings. The friends that I helped used one of the main capillary extended insurance company in Italy and got an insurance covering damages to the building, to the content and to third-party (risk) within the property and out of the property.