Problem is the structure was probably built after insurance was put into force.. I am sure the insurance company would probably want to see permits and stamped drawings before paying out on the structure..
Not sure here... but I think the insurance company would be looking to sue someone to recoup their costs... especially if proper procedures are not adhered too.
You just cannot build anything you want anywhere you want anymore without proper documentation and permission from the proper authorities.
There are reasons that contractors do things by the book ie. permits, engineers approvals etc... to prevent the Contractor from being sued in case of loss.
Would you underpin a house without an engineers report? highly unlikely. I see little difference here.
Farm building, House, townhouse complex Do things by the book and your safe.
Did the structure conform to the OBC? Did it comply to municipal amendments? Were loads calculated and verified? were soil tests done to ensure the earth could support the structure? etc etc etc...
There are so many variables here that would have been known conditions had a permit and engineers report been obtained.
G