About the Book
Comprehensive guidance is given to determine suitable Building Sum Insured (BSI) values for both low-rise and high-rise structures, and enhancements to the IVSC and NSW insurance calculation methodologies are suggested. This text focuses on discrepancies in the valuations of high-rise properties. This analysis examines the intricacies of property insurance, emphasizing the perils of inadequate coverage within the Australian market and provides globally pertinent insights. Cretikos offers a comprehensive analysis of existing insurance policy deficiencies and suggests a superior BSI Value method. His analysis seeks to inform property owners about obtaining sufficient insurance to mitigate financial losses and avoid legal vulnerabilities. This indispensable resource demystifies the intricate process of determining the correct Building Sum Insured (BSI) Value for any situation.Recommended Reading Globally applicable and tailored for homeowners, owners' corporations, real estate professionals and property managers, insurance brokers and associated agents, building experts and developers alike, strata managers and lawyers, lawmakers and regulatory authorities, affordable and social housing authorities. Inside, you'll discover takeaways including: Understanding Underinsurance Homeowners and strata corporations often underestimate rebuilding costs, leading to financial shortfalls during claims. The book explains how inflation, increases in building costs after the event, regulatory compliance, and temporary accommodation costs can make standard Replacement Value insurance policies inadequate, especially for high-rise applications causing massive out-of-pocket costs.Importance of an Accurate BSI Value Conventional Replacement Value formula rarely covers all costs after an insurance claim. The text designates Current Rental Values as the foundation for calculating the initial insured amount. These are valuable for high-rise valuations, as Architect Fees and Charges are calculated on full project costs, and the unequal Lot Entitlement formula becomes redundant because of the transparent and fair distribution of repair and maintenance expenses. Applicable to foreign geographies such as British Columbia, Canada, where using habitable areas is unsafe.Flaws in Current Insurance and Legislation Current strata and general home insurance laws do not effectively protect against major monetary losses. The book advocates for legislative reforms to ensure policies cover destruction, catastrophe, total loss, and constructive total loss so that these scenarios provide for supplementary benefits in full, besides the BSI Value, as noted in the Valuation Schedule Offer or PDS wording.Common Insurance Pitfalls Insurance providers often structure policies to limit or depreciate payouts, leaving homeowners and strata corporations responsible for large out-of-pocket costs. This may occur if you do not repair or rebuild or replace your property on another site. Policies may not explicitly include accommodation or any supplementary expenses, leading to financial hardship with disasters.Innovative Insurance Valuation Methods The book introduces new insurance valuation tables that go beyond traditional methods. The valuation of high-rise properties causes a method distinct from the IVSC approach, given the extended reconstruction periods and amplified expenses not considered by the IVSC or other jurisdictions.Case Studies & Practical Applications The book presents Molly's Loss Story.
About the Author :
Michael's birthplace is the Mozambique capital city of Maputo, historically known as Lourenco Marques. He began his education at St. Peter's Preparatory School in Rivonia, Republic of South Africa, and later completed his studies at St. John's College in Johannesburg. In 1971, he obtained a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of KwaZulu/Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban.Following the completion of his mandatory military service as a Second Lieutenant in Mozambique, he relocated to South Africa and began his professional journey with the South African Railways. He successfully ascended to the role of Regional Architect in the Natal System.Having emigrated to Australia in 1988, he was appointed as the Architectural Strategic Facilities Planning Officer at The University of New South Wales. He held the same position at The University of Sydney until retirement in July 2010. Following years of active participation in his strata owners' corporation, a significant underestimation of their compulsory building Insurance valuation motivated him to investigate the issue. After several years, he produced his final manuscript in 2024, Building Insurance: Your Guide.According to Michael, he is the creator of the BSI Value, which is established upon current rental values as the primary component for Replacement Value.
Review :
An expert tour of some fundamental building-insurance issues. Kirkus Reviews
Review of: Your Guide- Building Insurance by Bill Runciman
Not a week goes by without a media report of life-changing, sometimes disastrous consequences arising from under-insurance of a residential building. The author, as treasurer of a strata committee, became involved in advocating for adequate insurance for both an anticipated realistic replacement value (allowing for inflation, delays, shortages, compliance requirements etc.) and for supplementary costs such as for accommodation and rental losses over a realistic time frame. He critiques many existing regulations, practices and valuation algorithms and proposes the use of a "Building Sum Insured Value" derived from expected rental values as an improved framework for calculating amounts to be covered. He advocates for legislation to harmonise the basis of building insurance policies, and for the standardisation of terminology and definitions for key underlying concepts. This would enhance much- needed transparency, improve consumer understanding of what they are paying for, and mitigate against many of the unanticipated adverse consequences of damage to or loss of residential buildings. "Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware!" Must-read.Review by Mardene CarrBuilding Insurance: Your Guide is a practical and comprehensive resource for people who wish to understand building insurance better. While figuring out this dry and complex subject might not sit well with many, the author makes the topic engaging and easy to follow. You may need to sit comfortably and focus to stay on topic, but it is worth the read, if only for the education. Explaining the basics of building insurance and why it is different from other kinds of property insurance was the right thing to do before getting into the meat of the matter. Adding this foundation knowledge initially will certainly put most people at ease.
Michael Cretikos advises the reader on management and risk assessment by providing essential reading on evaluating risks associated with managing or owning a building. The author discusses human-related dangers and natural disaster risks. The end-of-chapter key points, scenarios, and case studies are a nice touch as Michael Cretikos skillfully guides the reader through the building insurance maze. The information might be hard to swallow, but readers can easily relate to the material.
Building Insurance: Your Guide is for you whether you are a property manager, landlord, business owner, or homeowner. While you may never have any reason to come face to face with the often unfairness of insurance companies, it never hurts to have the information just in case.
