A guide to subsidence home insurance

What is subsidence?

Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a building sinks, causing the property’s foundations to shift. This movement can lead to structural damage, including cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors. Common causes of subsidence include:

• Clay soils: These can shrink and crack during dry periods, destabilising foundations.
• Tree roots: Large trees and shrubs can absorb significant amounts of water from the soil, leading to ground movement.
• Mining activity: Old mines or quarries can cause instability if fill-in material collapses.
• Leaking drains or pipes: These can wash away or soften soil, leading to subsidence.

In a typical year, 60% of valid subsidence claims are due to root-induced clay shrinkage, where tree roots extract moisture from clay soils and cause the ground to contract. This figure can rise to 85% during prolonged dry spells, particularly in the South East of England where clay soils are widespread.

Even some popular garden plants can contribute to subsidence or structural damage, which can invalidate home insurance if not maintained and left unchecked.

Extended periods of heat and drought accelerate moisture loss in the soil, often triggering a spike in subsidence cases. For instance, following the UK’s record-breaking summer heatwave in 2022, 18,000 claims were made in the second half of the year alone.

How do subsidence claims work?

If you see any of the main signs of subsidence such as cracks around doors and windows, wallpaper pulling away from the wall, or sloping and uneven floors, you can look to pursue a potential claim right away. A subsidence claim will usually follow these key points:

1. Contact your insurer: Inform your subsidence insurer of your concerns and follow their guidance.
2. Professional assessment: A subsidence expert may be appointed to investigate the cause of, and the extent of, the damage.
3. Monitor any movement: In some cases, the property may need to be monitored over time to assess the level of any movement.
4. Repairs: If subsidence is confirmed, repairs may involve underpinning or other structural work.

Impact of subsidence on future insurance 

A history of subsidence can affect your ability to obtain home insurance, or at the very least it will impact future insurance premiums. Key guidelines and potential impact include:

• Disclosure: It’s essential to disclose any past subsidence issues to potential insurers, it will affect your potential to claim if you do not. There is no time limit for the dis closure of subsidence claims. As long as you live in a property, you must always disclose any subsidence to your insurer.
• Premiums: You may face higher premiums due to the increased risk.
• Policy terms: Some insurers may look to exclude certain elements of subsidence cover or to impose stricter terms.