Brits warned over subsidence

With the Met Office predicting a warmer than average British summer, Moneysupermarket is calling on homeowners to ensure they have adequate insurance against subsidence.

Subsidence claims on domestic properties cost £162m with 31,895 claims last year, with most being subject to a £1,000 excess.

Peter Gerrard, head of insurance research at Moneysupermarket, said: “Brits may love the warm weather but this can have a downside for the foundations of your home. Bouts of heat can cause the ground beneath a property to dry out and become unstable. Homes with trees nearby are more at risk of subsidence as roots grow in search of water during dry spells, taking moisture from the soil.

“So as people protect themselves this summer with sunscreen, a cap and a t-shirt, they should also look to see their home isn’t at risk from the sun. The most common sign of subsidence is cracks appearing in the wall, especially around the door and window frames. All buildings naturally experience some cracking, so homeowners or buyers needn’t always panic.

“Any cracks wider than your thumb however could mean there is subsidence. In this case you should alert your insurer immediately so they can assess the situation. I urge homeowners to be as honest as possible and fully update their insurer if there are any signs of subsidence around their home. Prevention is far better than cure for all parties.”

Most insurance companies will want to look at the development of cracks over time so the comparison site urges patience as regular inspections will probably be required.