Subsidence Home Insurance
It’s that time of year again when the majority of the UK are genuinely shocked to be enjoying a lovely hot summer and soaring temperatures. Last week, we thought we had narrowly missed out on breaking the 2003 record of 38.5c for the hottest temperatures recorded in the UK, only to find out yesterday that we had actually achieved a record breaking 38.7c in Cambridge.
So what does all this lovely weather mean for the UK? A chance to complain about the heat rather than the rain, a sudden spike in sunburn, whispers of a dreaded hosepipe-ban and a rise in the number of suspected subsidence home insurance claims.
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Subsidence, in home insurance terms at least, is the sinking or movement of the ground, causing foundations to move and impacting the structural integrity of your home. There can be many reasons for this and one of them is associated with dry weather – hence the escalation of claims in hotter months.
Homes built on clay soils, primarily but not exclusively found in Central and South-East England, can be particularly prone to subsidence, especially during extended dry periods, due to shrinkage as the soil dries out.
Other triggers can include; mining, fracking and vibrations caused by traffic. The most common cause is trees and vegetation planted near a property, which can suck water from the ground as they grow, this drying out can lead to subsidence. Conversely, the removal of established trees and vegetation can have the reverse effect, causing water levels to rise and resulting in damage caused by heave.
Signs that a property may be affected by subsidence include; large cracks in walls, ceilings and exterior walls – typically wider than a £1 coin. Other indicators of possible movement are:
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If you own a property with no previous report of subsidence, which is now found to be affected, you should be covered by your home insurance policy. However, it is worth noting that subsidence claims often have a separate, larger excess than standard claims on your household insurance.
Once repairs, such as underpinning, and dealing with any damaged drains or pipes, have been carried out, you will need two important pieces of documentation going forward, to both sell and insure your home:
• A formal Completion Certificate (issued by the council when underpinning requires)
• A Certificate of Structural Adequacy
Subsidence must be declared when insuring your property.
Very often subsidence home insurance is associated with increased costs and aggravation and this can have negative impact on the value of your home.
Due to the severity of the damage and resulting costs caused by subsidence claims, properties that may not have ever suffered subsidence, may still be penalised by insurers if they are located within a postcode associated with subsidence.
It is not uncommon for standard insurers to shy away from properties with a history of subsidence, or to quote unrealistically high premiums. When looking to find a good deal on insuring a home with a history of subsidence, you need to find an insurer familiar with this type of property, preferably with experience in subsidence, heave and landslip, and willing to treat each application on an individual basis.
Specialist underwriters with an understanding of the risks involved are invaluable when searching for sensible premiums. Properties affected can include:
Highworth Insurance specialise in insuring all of the above and can discuss your unique requirements knowledgeably and with confidence. As specialists in subsidence home insurance, our experienced Account Managers are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 6:30pm and on Saturdays between 9am and 12:30pm. They will be able to give you a competitive quotation on: 01202 937430.
So what does all this lovely weather mean for the UK? A chance to complain about the heat rather than the rain, a sudden spike in sunburn, whispers of a dreaded hosepipe-ban and a rise in the number of suspected subsidence home insurance claims.
Get a Quote
Subsidence, in home insurance terms at least, is the sinking or movement of the ground, causing foundations to move and impacting the structural integrity of your home. There can be many reasons for this and one of them is associated with dry weather – hence the escalation of claims in hotter months.
Causes of Subsidence
Homes built on clay soils, primarily but not exclusively found in Central and South-East England, can be particularly prone to subsidence, especially during extended dry periods, due to shrinkage as the soil dries out.
Other triggers can include; mining, fracking and vibrations caused by traffic. The most common cause is trees and vegetation planted near a property, which can suck water from the ground as they grow, this drying out can lead to subsidence. Conversely, the removal of established trees and vegetation can have the reverse effect, causing water levels to rise and resulting in damage caused by heave.
Signs of Subsidence
Signs that a property may be affected by subsidence include; large cracks in walls, ceilings and exterior walls – typically wider than a £1 coin. Other indicators of possible movement are:
- Existing cracks growing, especially after dry spells
- Wallpaper ripping, not through age or damp
- Doors and windows sticking
Get a Quote
If your home has subsidence
If you own a property with no previous report of subsidence, which is now found to be affected, you should be covered by your home insurance policy. However, it is worth noting that subsidence claims often have a separate, larger excess than standard claims on your household insurance.
Once repairs, such as underpinning, and dealing with any damaged drains or pipes, have been carried out, you will need two important pieces of documentation going forward, to both sell and insure your home:
• A formal Completion Certificate (issued by the council when underpinning requires)
• A Certificate of Structural Adequacy
Subsidence must be declared when insuring your property.
Very often subsidence home insurance is associated with increased costs and aggravation and this can have negative impact on the value of your home.
Subsidence Home Insurance
Due to the severity of the damage and resulting costs caused by subsidence claims, properties that may not have ever suffered subsidence, may still be penalised by insurers if they are located within a postcode associated with subsidence.
It is not uncommon for standard insurers to shy away from properties with a history of subsidence, or to quote unrealistically high premiums. When looking to find a good deal on insuring a home with a history of subsidence, you need to find an insurer familiar with this type of property, preferably with experience in subsidence, heave and landslip, and willing to treat each application on an individual basis.
Specialist underwriters with an understanding of the risks involved are invaluable when searching for sensible premiums. Properties affected can include:
- Properties that have been previously underpinned
- Homes showing signs of historical movement in a mortgage surveyors report
- A previous subsidence claim at the property
- Subsidence at a neighbouring property or in the area
- Historical buildings that are possibly listed, showing signs of movement
Highworth Insurance specialise in insuring all of the above and can discuss your unique requirements knowledgeably and with confidence. As specialists in subsidence home insurance, our experienced Account Managers are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 6:30pm and on Saturdays between 9am and 12:30pm. They will be able to give you a competitive quotation on: 01202 937430.
To discuss your insurance needs with an experienced account manager please call 01202 937430 or apply online to get an instant quote