Heave/ subsidence/ insurance claim HELP please

lou4791

When we moved into our victorian terrace house 5 years ago, the survey picked up some heave/ raised area to the kitchen floor. An insurance claim was made by the previous owners and £1000 excess paid by them. The problem was found to likely originate from the drains and some works were carried out, and the problem considered solved. We have stayed with the same insurance company.

Recently I have been wondering if the raised area of the kitchen floor has been getting worse, but it's so difficult to tell as any differences would be very subtle. But last night I noticed a crack running up and along the top of the kitchen door that I have not seen before. This confirmed to me that there is likely an ongoing problem and the works carried out 5 years ago never properly solved.

I've called my insurance company today who have advised me to call out a surveyor myself to assess the problem prior to making an official claim.
I'm so scared that this may not be covered for some reason.
Will any local surveyor be appropriate to call? Do I have to pay the surveyor up front before claiming? Is there anything I need to know about do's and don'ts of larger insurance claims? Could this claim be a continuation of the previous one 5 years ago and the excess waived, as i'm convinced it's the same problem that was never properly solved?

I'm really lost on this. Any advice very welcome.