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Need to Mention Rejected Subsidence Claim?
RingerBell
Posts: 1 Newbie
About three years ago we noticed some internal cracks in our house (mostly in the upstairs bedroom) and called my insurance company to ask them to investigate. To start the investigation process we were required to make a claim for subsidence, even though we didn't know at the time whether it was subsidence or not (a sort of catch-22 situation). So this we did, and the process duly started.
After a number of engineer visits and monitoring over the course of a year or so, the final engineers report concluded that "there is no evidence to suggest that damage has resulted from subsidence", noting that "the pattern and location of the damage is indicative of common, non-structural causes and as such repair of the damage falls under the heading of normal routine maintenance of the property". It goes on to say that the insurer's liability for the claim will be declined.
This is all OK, and a big relief to us, of course. We have since filled the cracks, redecorated and there is no sign as yet of the cracks reappearing.
However, the point of this posting is to seek advice about what to do about getting quotes for new insurance. When seeking a quote, we are asked if we have made any claims in the last five years. So do we need to mention the subsidence claim that I have described here? The way we see it is that the claim was effectively ruled invalid so its as if it was never made in the first place. Is that reasonable? We feel that if we mention the word subsidence this will trigger an alarm for prospective insurers and result in increased premiums when in fact there is no subsidence at all.
Any advice gratefully received.
After a number of engineer visits and monitoring over the course of a year or so, the final engineers report concluded that "there is no evidence to suggest that damage has resulted from subsidence", noting that "the pattern and location of the damage is indicative of common, non-structural causes and as such repair of the damage falls under the heading of normal routine maintenance of the property". It goes on to say that the insurer's liability for the claim will be declined.
This is all OK, and a big relief to us, of course. We have since filled the cracks, redecorated and there is no sign as yet of the cracks reappearing.
However, the point of this posting is to seek advice about what to do about getting quotes for new insurance. When seeking a quote, we are asked if we have made any claims in the last five years. So do we need to mention the subsidence claim that I have described here? The way we see it is that the claim was effectively ruled invalid so its as if it was never made in the first place. Is that reasonable? We feel that if we mention the word subsidence this will trigger an alarm for prospective insurers and result in increased premiums when in fact there is no subsidence at all.
Any advice gratefully received.
0
Comments
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Yes you need to mention the claim. Your insurers will have paid out for the engineers to visit and monitor the property for the year - they dont tend to work just for the love unfortunately0
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If you stay with your existing Insurer you will not need to declare it as they will know already!0
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You had a loss (damage that needed repairing) and made a subsidence claim, it was rejected.
You have to disclose all losses whether or not a claim ensued.0
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