Terms and Conditions

CHECKMATE is a trading name of Checkmate Warranty Ltd, with registered office at Duke House, 5t Floor, 32-38 Dukes Place, London, EC3A 7LP. Exance Services Ltd is the Managing General Agent (MGA) who provide the insurance capacity to Checkmate Warranty Ltd. 

Checkmate Warranty Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Servca Ltd, a Lloyds Syndicate Broker SLM1389, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with FCA no. 596006 

These Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) govern your access to, and use of the structural warranty services provided by Checkmate Warranty Ltd (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing our services, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. 

Acceptance of Terms 

By purchasing a structural warranty or using our services, you accept these Terms in full. If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use our services.

Definitions 

• “Structural Warranty” refers to the coverage provided by Checkmate Warranty Ltd for specific structural elements of a building or home, as outlined in your Warranty Agreement.
• “Customer” or “You” refers to the property owner or other entity purchasing or using the Services.

Service Description 

Checkmate Warranty Ltd provides structural warranties covering specified structural elements of buildings, which may include foundations, load-bearing walls, roofs, beams, and columns. Coverage is provided based on terms outlined in your specific Warranty Agreement (the “Warranty Agreement”).

Eligibility 

To purchase and use our Services, you must be:

• The legal property owner of the structure covered by the warranty, or an authorised representative, and
• Compliant with all applicable local laws, building codes, and regulations.

Scope of Coverage 

The specific terms, conditions, and limitations of your structural warranty are outlined in the Warranty Agreement provided at the time of purchase. Generally, the coverage includes:

• Structural Defects: Issues that compromise the stability, safety, or structural integrity of the property’s key structural components.
• Qualified Elements: Load-bearing components like foundations, walls, floors, roof supports, beams, and columns.

Coverage Period 

The warranty coverage period is specified in your Warranty Agreement and typically spans 10 years from the date of issuance. The Warranty Agreement will detail any exclusions, limitations, and covered events.

Limitations of Liability 

• Checkmate Warranty Ltd is not liable for indirect or consequential damages or any expenses arising out of or related to the use of our Services, except as explicitly covered by the Warranty Agreement.
• We are not responsible for damages resulting from natural disasters, unauthorised modifications, or neglect of required maintenance.

Exclusions 

The following items and conditions are generally excluded from coverage unless otherwise specified in your Warranty Agreement:

• Non-Structural Components: Fixtures, finishes, non-load-bearing walls, and other non-structural elements.
• Wear and Tear: Normal wear and tear, cosmetic damage, and minor cracks.
• Damage from External Factors: Damage resulting from weather events, natural disasters, or environmental conditions beyond our control.
• Unauthorised Modifications or Neglect: Structural modifications or repairs by unapproved contractors, or lack of proper maintenance by the property owner.

Your Commitment 

• Consumers: You must take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation to the insurer. This means that all the answers you give and statements you make as part of your insurance application, including at renewal and when an amendment to your policy is required, should be honest and accurate. If you deliberately or carelessly misinform the insurers, this could mean that part of or all of a claim may not be paid.
• Commercial customers: If the insurance is arranged wholly or mainly for purposes related to your trade, business, or profession you must disclose all material facts whether or not the insurer asks for specific information. This duty applies throughout the life of your policy, and when you renew your insurance. Material facts are any facts that may influence the insurer’s decision to accept the policy and/or what terms are applied. Failure to disclose a material fact may invalidate your insurance and could mean that your claim will not be paid.

Complaints 

We intend to always provide you with a high level of service but if you should wish to complain then we have a formal complaints procedure. In the first instance, you should write to The Compliance Officer at Checkmate Warranty Ltd via email at compliance@checkmate-warranty.co.uk. You may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Further information is available at: http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/ or telephone 0845- 0801800. 

Claim Process 

To submit a claim under your structural warranty, you must follow the procedures outlined in your Warranty Agreement, which include:

• Notification: Contact us promptly upon discovering a potential structural defect.
• Documentation: Provide proof of ownership and a copy of your Warranty Agreement, along with any requested evidence of the defect.

Failure to follow these procedures may result in delays or denial of your claim.

Termination and Cancellation 

• Termination by Customer: You may cancel your structural warranty at any time, subject to the cancellation terms outlined in the Warranty Agreement.
• Termination by Checkmate Warranty Ltd: We reserve the right to terminate your warranty coverage if you violate these Terms or the terms of the Warranty Agreement, including unauthorised modifications to covered structural elements.
• Refunds: Any refunds upon termination will be handled in accordance with the specific terms outlined in your Warranty Agreement.

Fees and Payment 

• All fees and payment terms are detailed in your Warranty Agreement. Payments are due as per the agreed-upon terms.
• Failure to make timely payments may result in suspension or termination of warranty coverage.

Protection 

Professional Indemnity cover is maintained as required by the Regulator governing our business activities. 

Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property related to our Services, including trademarks, logos, and other materials, are owned or licensed by Checkmate Warranty Ltd. Unauthorised use of our intellectual property is strictly prohibited.

Privacy and Data Protection

Your personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your data is protected.

Money Laundering

To comply with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Part 7: Money Laundering) and Money Laundering Regulations 2003, we will not accept cash payments over £2,500 for premiums due, or deposits on premium finance arranged.

Technical and Administration Services

Checkmate Warranty Ltd, as part of post-sales customer relations, offers the below services to our clients. These services are available throughout the build period of your project and the life of the purchased policy (10 years), as applicable, upon acceptance of the Technical and Administration Fee:

• Organisation of Site Surveys: We offer to process the initial site survey schedule as well as assist in ongoing scheduling throughout the build period of your project.
• Technical Advice: Throughout the build period of your project, when remediation is necessary to satisfy the appointed surveyor, we offer expert and impartial technical advice to you, the client, to help you resolve any construction issues or remediation conditions set out by the survey team acting on behalf of the insurance provider.
• Sourcing of Documentation: Throughout the build period, to satisfy the conditions set out by the provider of the insurance policy, we will assist with and organise the sourcing of any technical documentation required including, but not limited to, insurance-backed guarantees, slate certificates and electrical certificates.
• Mediation and Conflict Resolution: If at any point throughout the build period and site survey process, you, the client, are unsatisfied or disagree with the remediation conditions set out by the site survey team acting on behalf of the insurance provider, we offer mediation and conflict resolution services between you and the survey team. We can offer technical and non-technical advice as well as mediate with the survey team on your behalf to resolve any conflicts of opinion relating to remediation conditions.
• Technical Services: Throughout the build period we can offer, organise or assist in the organisation of a wide range of technical and industry services to you, the client, to satisfy either initial conditions or remediation conditions set out by the insurance provider or site survey teams acting on behalf of the insurance provider.
• Organisation of Checkmate Warranty Sign-Off: At the end of the build period, we will organise and supply all required certifications to you, the client, as well as assist with the resolution of any issues relating to the finalisation of the building warranty policy.
• Life-of-policy Administration Services: Throughout the life of the purchased policy (10 years) we offer administration services to you, the client, including, but not limited to, issuance of certificates, change of contact details, and transfer of ownership.

Please note that these post-sales customer relations services are only available for the purchased policy referred to in your quote letter and supporting demands and need documents. We do not supply these services in relation to projects for which you, the client, have not used Checkmate Warranty as your chosen building warranty broker.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the English laws.

Amendments

Checkmate Warranty Ltd reserves the right to amend or update these Terms at any time. Any changes will be communicated through our website or other appropriate means. Continued use of the Services after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at:

Checkmate Warranty Ltd
Duke House, 32-38 Dukes Place, 5th Floor
London
EC3A 7LP

Email: compliance@checkmate-warranty.co.uk
Tel: 0208 0788 017