Confused about buildings insurance

rinkydinkpanther

I'm looking at buying a house, - it's a 30s semi. I've had the valuation survey done, which came in at the price agreed. The only issues that this survey mentioned were to do with damp in the roof timbers.

I've also had a homebuyer survey, which has mentioned that there is evidence of a repaired crack in the brickwork mortar above the arch of the porch - we hadn't noticed this when we viewed. The vendor has stated that this repair was done 10 years ago when his extension and garage was rebuilt, when it was discovered that there was a collapsed drain which has now been repaired. He's got documentation to support this. The survey also says there are no other signs of cracking and that the building appears sound.

Today I went past the house and noticed that both the attached semi and the detached house next door, of the same period, also have repaired mortar on the brickwork above their arch. I've been getting online quotes for buildings insurance, and don't know what to answer when I get to the question about whether this house or the adjoining one has ever had any shown any sign of subsidence, heave, landslip or cracking. I asked the insurer how I would know how to answer this question, and they said it would be in my survey. I said my mortgage survey didn't mention anything, and she said oh, that's ok then, it's to the best of your knowledge.

But I have had the additional survey which does mention the repaired mortar crack, although it doesn't mention subsidence, heave or landslip. So I couldn't really claim that the building had shown no sign, could I? On the other hand, if I say yes to that question, I seem to be in the realm of specialist and expensive buildings insurance. I'm beginning to wish I hadn't had the extra survey and then I'd could be easily and legally insured on the grounds that I was blissfully ignorant. I feel like I'm being penalised for having had an extra survey done.

Now I don't know what to do. Do I spend another £500 on a structural engineer ? If the crack is nothing to worry about, presumably he'll write that up for me to give to potential insurers ? Or am I overthinking this, and does "crack" in this context mean something more than a bit of repointed brickwork ? I don't think I've ever lived in a house that didn't have a few cracks in plaster or a bit of repointing - does one exist ?

Sorry, very long, hope someone can help.