Cracks in walls: When to worry
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Compare home insurance quotes for properties affected by subsidence
Subsidence is covered by most house insurance policies, but only if your home has never suffered from subsidence in the past. A good buildings insurance policy will cover repairs to damage caused by subsidence, as well as replacement costs for lost items and alternative accommodation.
Subsidence is where the ground beneath your building sinks and pulls the foundations down with it. This causes cracks to appear in your building’s walls and floors and can eventually mean your property leans to one side and is structurally unsound.
Here are a few common causes of subsidence:
According to our research, the average cost of home insurance policies covering homes with subsidence is £335 a year.*
The cost of insuring a property with subsidence will vary depending on:
It's likely to be more expensive to insure a home with a history of subsidence than one without. Premiums are likely to be higher and you might find that less insurers are willing to offer you cover.
If you want to renew your home insurance after a subsidence claim, your existing insurer may still offer you a renewal, but they're not obliged to and you're likely to see a rise in your premium. They might also exclude subsidence cover from any future claims.
Find out more about the cost of home insurance.
*According to GoCompare data, the average cost of home insurance policies bought through GoCompare for homes with subsidence in April 2023 was £335 a year.
Make sure you’re not stuck with the bill by finding the right subsidence insurance
Get a quoteHere are a few ways you can prevent subsidence:
If you're planting new trees and shrubs, don’t put them too close to your home.
Buildings with shallow foundations are at risk of subsidence caused by trees and roots. If your house was built before 1950s, it will be particularly susceptible.
Tree roots seek water and grow towards drains which aren’t watertight. However, they’re unlikely to break through solid foundations.
Prune bushes and trees regularly. Have large, older trees surveyed every few years to see if they pose any immediate danger to your property.
If a pipe leaks or a drain overflows under your home, it will make the earth damp and weak, potentially causing heave and moving the foundations of your home.
You must maintain the pipes and drains under your home, even if they are difficult to access. If you suspect water’s escaped underneath your house, contact your insurer - it might put you in touch with a CCTV drainage surveyor.
If you’re buying a house, look out for large diagonal cracks, inside and out, and check that the doors and windows shut properly.
If you can’t see any cosmetic concerns, read your homebuyers or RICS Building survey.
The latter is best for older properties because it breaks down structural issues into a traffic light, colour coded (red, amber, green) rating system, alerting you to any hidden structural red flags, not just for subsidence, and how serious the issue is.
The Homebuyer report doesn’t consider damage under floorboards or behind walls.
If you need to claim on your home insurance - for example, if your building is damaged by subsidence or your possessions are stolen - your free home excess cover will refund up to £250 of your excess.
There’s no hidden charge. But you won't be covered for things like accidental loss such as leaving a laptop on a train or accidental damage, such as spilling wine on your carpet or drilling through a pipe.
^UK residents and home insurance purchases only. Excess refunded after claim settled. Excludes accidental loss or damage claims made on your home insurance. Full T&Cs apply.
If you suspect your property is at risk, there are tell-tale signs that can help you identify whether you’re affected
Some of the signs are:
Cracks caused by subsidence may be found in inner and outer walls. They can appear and spread quickly, be thinner at one end, run diagonally, and be found around windows and doors.
Doors and windows may become jammed, stuck or not close properly if they're out of alignment.
Sagging or sloping floors, ceilings and walls may be an indication that your house foundations aren't straight.
Cracks in walls that are hidden beneath the wallpaper may cause it to wrinkle.
If you have an extension, you may spot cracks around where the extension joins your home.
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