Good state of repair
A property in a good state of repair is one without structural problems. Your property is not considered to be in a good state of repair if it has dry rot, rot or infestation requiring timber or window replacement, damp, roof or chimney stack damage, faulty wiring or incomplete construction.
They are not interested in the state of the decorating or furnishings, or an overgrown garden.
Anything that affects the structure of the house does bother them - that would include mould, leaks, cracks that are more than superficial or relatively new.
Maybe they could refuse to pay OR if the property was put back to a better condition than it was originally (because it couldn't be repaired any other way) then reduce the payout by an element of "betterment".
It would only come to light when/if a claim was made.
If the property burnt to the ground and an investigation showed that the electric wiring was dangerous and had caused the fire I don't think they would be inclined to pay out.
Dave ( dont listen to HIM!) has gone from state of repair to burnt down!
dont listen to me... but
if a house were burnt down due to electrical things I thnk the insurers would pay out even if there were negligence
Uppark house fire - the insurers tried that and the judge gave them short shrift
In my experience, of quoting on repairs that people want the insurance company to pay it would be at the discretion of the loss adjuster - as PP says.
So, if you stick your size 12 through a ceiling that was in good repair they may still pay. If however the ceiling was in poor repair, say water damage from a leak, then they would say tough.
I have not heard about an insurance company cancelling the policy over it though, they simply assess the payout, if any.
If they decided that the insured had been untruthful in arranging the insurance (however that came about) then they would be at liberty to (and might well) cancel the policy.
There is a series "Claimed & Shamed" on the beeb and cancellation of the policy is often one of the outcomes.
They will treat every case on it's merits I think. If you claimed for a flood in the kitchen then the state of the windows would not be at issue and they would likely pay out.
Funds permitting, why not get the windows replaced anyway?