A History Of Subsidence? What To Know About Subsidence Home Insurance

By Crowthorne Insurance on Jan 22, 2026 10:00:01 AM

The wall of a home with subsidence, where insurance is needed.

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make. Discovering a history of subsidence can therefore be very worrying. The very word itself can even raise alarm bells, but a history of subsidence doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. With the right checks and the right policy, a home insurance with subsidence can protect your property and your investment.

This guide explains what subsidence means, how it affects your home insurance, and how to find suitable cover if you’re buying or living in a property that has experienced it.

What Is Subsidence?

Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a building sinks or shifts, causing the property’s foundations to move. This movement can lead to cracks in walls, uneven floors, or sticking doors and windows.

Common causes include tree roots drawing moisture from clay soil, leaking drains, or changes in groundwater levels. Once identified, it’s important to determine whether the issue is active (still moving) or historical (stabilised after repairs).

Historical Vs Active Subsidence

If subsidence has been resolved, a property can still be safe and insurable. Insurers will, however, want evidence that the problem was professionally repaired and has remained stable for several years. A full structural survey is essential before a purchase to confirm this.

Active subsidence, however, is a different matter. Ongoing movement means insurers will treat the property as high risk, and standard cover is likely to be declined. In these cases, specialist subsidence home insurance in the UK is needed.

How Subsidence Affects Home Insurance

Buildings insurance policies usually include subsidence insurance as standard, but crucially, this only applies to properties that have never experienced subsidence before.

Properties with a history of subsidence are generally more expensive to insure because the risk of future movement remains higher than average. Many standard insurers exclude such properties altogether, so premiums may increase, and policy terms may be more limited.

When applying for home insurance with a subsidence history, insurers will typically ask for:

A detailed structural survey or an engineer’s report
Records of underpinning or other repairs
Evidence of stability over time

Failing to declare known subsidence could invalidate your policy, so transparency is absolutely vital.

Finding Specialist Home Insurance With Subsidence

If you’re struggling to find cover, there are specialist insurers who focus on non-standard properties, including those with a history of subsidence. These policies are tailored to your property’s condition and may include conditions such as regular inspections or higher excesses for future claims.

Working with an experienced broker can make all the difference, as brokers have access to insurers who understand the nuances of subsidence risk and can negotiate fair terms that reflect your property’s true condition rather than its past issues.

Protect Your Property With Confidence

A history of subsidence doesn’t have to prevent you from owning or insuring your dream home. With the right advice and cover, you can protect your property, satisfy your mortgage lender’s requirements, and buy with confidence.

At Crowthorne Insurance, we help homeowners secure the right home insurance with subsidence. As members of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), we work with trusted UK insurers who provide specialist solutions for properties with previous movement. Safeguard your investment today and contact Crowthorne for expert advice and a tailored quote on subsidence home insurance in the UK.