Roofing firm loses key insurance ruling over school fire
Summary
A roofing contractor involved in £3.1m claims linked to a school fire has lost a preliminary High Court dispute over how its insurance policy should be interpreted. The judge found that even an accidental failure to follow specified fire-safety precautions could bar the firm from making a claim under the policy.
Why it matters
The case highlights how strictly fire-safety conditions in insurance policies may be applied, which is relevant to surveyors assessing contractor risk, site safety arrangements and potential liability exposures. It also underlines the importance of documenting compliance with specified precautions on projects involving hot works or fire risk.
Key points
- High Court dispute concerned interpretation of an insurance policy after a school fire.
- Claims against the roofing contractor were reported at £3.1m.
- The judge held that accidental non-compliance with fire-safety precautions could defeat cover.
- The case may influence how contractors and insurers view compliance with site fire precautions.
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