What is Subsidence Home Insurance?
Subsidence home insurance is an insurance policy that protects your home if it suffers from or has suffered from subsidence.
Insurance for subsided homes will take into account the additional risk that comes with properties of this nature. When homes subside, they often suffer cracks in the walls or the floor due to the ground moving. Subsidence home insurance can pay out for repairs or in some cases, underpinning.
Subsidence cover is not typically covered under a standard home insurance policy and will need to be purchased separately in order to properly protect your home. An insurer will likely require a survey or assessment of your home to gauge the right level of cover.
Due to age, many listed homes suffer from subsidence due to the techniques used in their foundations.
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What Is Subsidence
Subsidence is a serious problem that can cause significant damage to your property. It occurs when the ground beneath a building sinks or moves, causing the building’s foundations to become unstable. Subsidence can be caused by a variety of things, including changes in soil moisture levels, tree roots, and mining activity, and it can lead to cracks in walls and floors, sticking doors and windows, and other structural issues.
Subsidence home insurance is a type of insurance that covers the cost of repairs and rebuilding in the event of subsidence damage. It is an important form of insurance to have if you live in an area with a history of subsidence or if your property has previously experienced subsidence. A subsided home insurance policy can help protect your property and provide peace of mind, knowing that you’re covered in the event of subsidence damage.
Can I Get Insurance If I Previously Had Subsidence?
A specialist broker will often be able to insure you for a home that has previously subsided.
Your property will be deemed a higher risk and therefore your premiums will be higher, however, assuming rectifications works such as underpinning have been completed, you should be able to get insurance for your home.
Getting Insurance For A Previously Subsided Home
When applying for a subsided home insurance policy, it is likely you will need to provide additional documentation and information about the subsidence history. This will also not to include how it has been resolved and if ongoing monitoring is required. It is also likely that the insurer will need to carryout a survey or inspection in order to fully understand the potential from subsidence to occur again.
Failing to disclose all relevant information can result in claims not being paid which could result in your loosing everything.
The brokers we work with can fully explain everything in clear detail and will provide you an insurance quote to insure your home. Having a home that has suffered subsidence does not mean you won’t be able to get insurance, it just means you will have to use a specialist subsidence home insurance broker.
How Much Does Subsidence Insurance Cost?
Due to the higher risk nature of a property suffering from or potential to suffer from subsidence, policies are typically a little more expensive.
The cost of a subsided home quote will also vary depending on several factors including location, age, condition and more importantly, level of subsidence. If you need subsidence insurance, it’s best to compare quotes from several different insurers to find the best value for your needs.
You should also look to take steps to help prevent subsidence in the future. By reducing the potential for subsidence, you can reduce the cost of your insurance policy as the risk level to the insurer is less.
These steps can include better drainage, underpinning, maintaining trees near by to the property and avoiding structural changes in or close by to the property.
How To Check For Signs Of Subsidence
There are several signs that can indicate that a property may be experiencing subsidence.
Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:
- Cracks in walls, floors or ceilings: Subsidence can cause cracks to appear in the building’s structure. Look for cracks that are wider than 3mm, diagonal, or that are visible both inside and outside the property.
- Doors and windows sticking: If doors and windows start to stick or are difficult to open and close, this can be a sign of subsidence. This is because the frames may have become distorted due to the movement of the building.
- Rippling wallpaper or paintwork: Subsidence can cause the walls to warp or bow, which can cause the wallpaper or paintwork to appear rippled.
- Sloping floors: If you notice that the floors of your property appear to be sloping or uneven, this can be a sign of subsidence.
- Cracks in external brickwork: If you notice cracks in the brickwork on the outside of the property, this could indicate that subsidence is occurring.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get a professional assessment to determine the cause and extent of the damage. A structural engineer or a qualified surveyor can assess the property and determine whether subsidence is the issue and what steps may be required to repair the damage.
You can also read about subsidence in greater depth on the Home Owners Alliance website.
Are There Ways To Avoid Subsidence?
While it’s not always possible to completely avoid subsidence, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of subsidence occurring.
Here are some ways to help prevent subsidence:
- Manage trees close to the property: Trees and shrubs can cause subsidence when their roots extract moisture from the soil, causing the soil to shrink and the building’s foundations to shift. To prevent this, ensure that trees and vegetation are kept away from the property and their roots do not extend under the building. Trees should also be regularly maintained, and any damaged or diseased trees should be removed.
- Maintain proper drainage: Poor drainage can lead to soil movement and subsidence. Make sure your homes drainage is working properly and clear from obstruction. When drains are blocked, it can cause an increased level of water to collect around your homes foundations resulting in foundation movement.
- Avoid moving soil around the property: Any changes to the soil such as digging can cause subsidence. Avoid any construction work or excavation near the property if possible, and if necessary, consult with a professional to ensure that the work is done safely.
- Regular maintenance: By checking your property regularly for sign of subsidence, you can get ahead of any serious problems that could occur. Prevention is always better than cure.
- Seek builders advice: If you notice signs of subsidence, consult a builder or structural engineer who will provide advice and remedial action.
- Underpin the property: Underpinning is a key way to stabilise the foundations and reduce ground movement that could affect your home.
By taking these steps, you can help reduce the risk of subsidence and ensure that your property remains stable and secure.
