Subsidence And Insurance: What Homeowners Should Know

Finding out that your home has subsidence is a devastating discovery for property owners.

The good news, however, is that even if your property shows signs of subsidence, there are measures that you can take to prevent both serious damage to your home and massive insurance excess.

If you're a homeowner, consider this essential reading on the matter of subsidence and insurance.

What Is Subsidence And What Causes It?

The ground beneath your home is subject to slight changes over time. A number of factors, from the weather to expanding tree root networks, can cause tiny shifts in the ground that affect your home's foundations.

This shifting is what causes subsidence, resulting in sinking foundations that can cause structural damage.

Repairing this damage can be expensive, with costs of up to £2,600 per square meter if underpinning (excavating and reinforcing your home's foundations) is required.

Spotting The Early Signs Of Subsidence

Fortunately, the earlier subsidence is acted upon, the cheaper and less disruptive it is to address the issue. This is why it's important to spot the signs of subsidence early.

These may include:

• Cracks in your internal plasterwork or external brickwork.
• Doors or windows sticking without any other clear cause.
• Peeling or rippling wallpaper. This is caused by cracks in the wall beneath and moisture ingress separating the paper from the wall.

What Can I Do If I See Signs Of Subsidence In My Home?

If you notice the early signs listed above, contact a chartered surveyor as soon as possible. They will be able to confirm whether or not the issue is caused by subsidence.

You should also contact your insurance provider. They will likely dispatch a loss adjuster to advise on how the subsidence affects your cover and what to do next.

Does My Home Insurance Cover Subsidence?

In most cases, your home insurance policy will cover repairs and/or fortifications resulting from subsidence. However, claims may result in a substantial excess, more expensive premiums, or more difficulty getting a premium in the future.

Indeed, some insurers may not provide you with a policy if you live in an area that is prone to subsidence. This may be because your property was built on clay soil, which shrinks and expands depending on the weather conditions. Or you may live in an older property that's built on a relatively shallow foundation. Alternatively, you may live close to a lot of trees with expanding root networks (the cause of around 70% of subsidence instances, as the tree roots suck the moisture from the soil).

If this has happened to you, don't panic. There are specialist subsidence house insurance policies on the market for properties with either present or historic subsidence issues.

How We Can Help

At Crowthorne, our team of specialist insurance brokers can help you find a subsidence insurance policy that gives your property the protection it needs while insulating you from inflated premiums and sky-high excesses.

Our team can help provide you with peace of mind without damaging your carefully planned household finances.

Get in touch with us today.