Building Inusrance - subsidence caused by rivers

dllive

I own a property which has a very small stream running directly behind it. Beyond that, about 200 metres, is a river. Im renewing my buildings insurance which is very reasonable, but noticed under the 'Exlusions' of the Policy Summary: "...any loss or damage from subsidence caused bedding down of new structures, demolition or structural repairs, faulty workmanship or materials or river or coastal erosion."

Is this something standard in buildings insurance? (I can't see mention of this in my current insurance doc). Can a river cause subsidence in a house 200 metres away, or only in the immediate vicinity? Everything else in the policy looks great - it's only that one line that is causing concern!

dacouch

That part of the wording is excluding claims for river and coastal (Sea) erosion eg the action of the water cutting away your land.

huckster

dllive

You have to remember that policy wordings have to cater for different properties in different situations. Locally and in many parts of the country there are properties that are built right by the side of water courses. The foundations of these properties are built taking into consideration that water will be almost always constantly in contact with the property.

In your situation if the small stream is running directly by your house and water would be constantly running against the house, you should speak to Insurers about this. I suspect the answer is that Insurers won't cover subsidence damage if it was caused by this constant contact with water.

Always best to seek clarity from your Insurers. People on this forum will not be able to describe the water course details near your property and interprete this in conjunction with the Insurers underwriting of the policy. Only your Insurers can do that.