Zurich Rejects Storm Damage Insurance Claim as Improvements

I am an SME fire insurance policyholder of Zurich for the workplace located at NEF 19 Sancaktepe Toplu Yaşam Sitesi, Sancaktepe, Istanbul. On the weekend of 14–15 October, after the severe natural disaster with storm and heavy rain, various damages occurred in the common areas of our site. Following the incident, we reported an approximate total damage of ₺10 million to Zurich. The damage mainly concerns the roof and facade insulations, deterioration in interior parts such as plaster and cornices, and damages that occurred on the dilatation lines. All of these are repairs and restorations required due to the incident, not improvements or renewals. An expert appointed by Zurich examined the site, took note of the damage and then decided that the roof insulations, facade insulations and dilatation-related works were out of coverage on the grounds that they were “improvements”. We do not accept this evaluation, because the work to be done is not a renewal or enhancement, but the repair and remediation of the damages that directly resulted from the storm and heavy rain. I request that the expert’s decision be reviewed, that the damage in the common areas caused by the natural disaster be considered within the scope of the SME fire insurance policy, and that the justified compensation amount for the approximately ₺10 million damage be paid as soon as possible. I kindly ask you to re-examine the file and inform us in writing of the result.