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Subsidence claim on insurance which was not subsidence

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I really hope someone can help me with this.
About 4 years ago, I noticed there was a crack under my window sill. Worried that it was subsidence I stupidly contacted my insurers. They sent someone down to have a look into it. They concluded that it was not subsidence and that was that, there was no further work undertaken. Since then, a CLAIM for subsidence has appeared on my paperwork with a charge for £1050 which was the cost of the assessment. When my insurance was renewed it almost doubled. I questioned it, and the fact that it was down as a claim when it wasn't but was told that the rise in insurance costs was because they paid out over £1k and therefore I had to pay them back. I was also told that as I put in a claim for subsidence (even though it wasn't subsidence) it will show up as a claim for subsidence.
Obviously now, as I have a claim for subsidence in my insurance history my insurance premium is huge and I am having difficulty getting an insurance quote from elsewhere. I am also worried about whether this will effect selling my house in the future.
Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? What is the likelihood of me reversing this claim?
:mad::(:(:mad:
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Comments

  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    You did make a claim, and so it is correctly on your record.

    Write and ask them to record correctly the cause of the crack.
  • Thank you for your reply Quentin but should it show up as a claim for subsidence? I can understand it showing as a claim but not for subsidence surely? The very fact that it says that I have claimed for subsidence means that I have to tell any other insurance company this which sends alarm bells ringing, and understandably so.
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    As posted:
    Write and ask them to record correctly the cause of the crack
  • And this should wipe out the subsidence insurance history pending that they change it when I ask them to I assume?
    My main concern is selling my property and the need to advise of any claims made and subsidence sticking out like a sore thumb.
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    If they won't change it to the correct cause, then you can make a complaint (their complaint procedure will be set out in the policy), and escalate to the FOS if you are unhappy with their response.
  • rs65
    rs65 Posts: 5,682 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I don't really think they have done anything wrong as you made a claim for subsidence and now have a subsidence claim recorded. As Quentin says, it would be good to have it recorded differently although I'm not sure what it could be changed to.

    You will still need to declare a claim so what do you declare it as?

    A sort of separate issue is that insurers ask if the property has ever suffered from subsidence (or similar words). Seems you can comfortably answer 'no' to this.

    I hope you got a copy if the report confirming it wasn't subsidence - that could be useful in the future.
  • Have a look here.

    I think you have a complaint that your personal data has been inaccurately recorded and, as a result, used unfairly.

    In theory that falls under the domain of the Information Commissioner.

    I would start by asking the insurer to correct the personal data and to reimburse you for the additional premium unfairly charged.

    If they refuse go to the Information Commissioner to seek to have the personal data corrected but also go to FOS to make sure the six month time limit is not exceeded.
  • Hi
    You definitely need the insurer to correct the details of your claim on their records.

    Are you a structural engineer or even a civil engineer by chance??

    If not, you are not qualified to say you have or had subsidence!!!
    All you could have done 4 years ago as a "lay person" is to make a claim for repairs to a crack under your window.

    I do hope the insurer sent a suitably qualified person to inspect the damage, and not just an unqualified cheap alternative that some are so fond of using. The insurer should hold the report and you are entitled to a copy, which will have been signed off by someone. If the person is not suitably qualified, then that is called FRAUD.(by your insurer.)

    If you have made a financial loss due to this matter, then the Financial Ombudsman is the place to go. I reckon that you stand a good chance of reimbursement for any excessive insurance
    premiums you have paid because of the error plus ......... Also, if you paid the £1050 and an unqualified person assessed the damage, you could well have your excess repaid.

    Good luck
  • Are you a structural engineer or even a civil engineer by chance??

    If not, you are not qualified to say you have or had subsidence!!!
    All you could have done 4 years ago as a "lay person" is to make a claim for repairs to a crack under your window.
    I think it is pretty clear that the OP would not be in this situation if they were a member of RICS.
    If you have made a financial loss due to this matter, then the Financial Ombudsman is the place to go.

    It needs a complaint to the insurer first but FOS is the next stage.
  • Therefore, until someone suitably qualified states it is subsidence and they have a valid claim under their policy, no excess should be due. What are they doing charging £1000 plus?

    I agree that they need to complain directly to the insurer before going to the FOS, but please keep copies of all correspondence and phone calls!!!

    Best wishes
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