Homes at increased risk of subsidence

The recent wet weather may not overcome some of the effects of the record-breaking dry Spring. In particular, there are predictions of huge increases in claims for subsidence, which has led to some insurers refusing to insure properties with pre-existing conditions.

According to insurer LV=, there is an 85 per cent chance of a surge in subsidence claims this year due to the Spring weather, which saw record hours of sunshine and very little rain. According to a spokesperson quoted in The Telegraph, there now needs to be “four times the average monthly rainfall to avoid a large number of subsidence claims.”

At the same time the British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba) has seen a fivefold increase over the last few months in the number of calls from homeowners who have been unable to take out conventional subsidence insurance. Mainstream insurers are refusing to insure properties which have been underpinned and shown signs of movement.

Some insurers are also contacting their customers to warn them that the dry Spring could have disastrous consequences for their homes, and are highlighting the signs to look out for. Most of the homes prone to subsidence are in the South East, with many built on London clay which tends to shift.

Morgan Clark has worked with many homeowners who make a subsidence insurance claim after their house has fallen victim to subsidence. We can ensure you get the right advice and have the right specialists involved as quickly as possible.