Buildings insurance to include subsidence

littlerock

I am now looking at the cost of my buildings insurance. I live in a 1880s semi detached house, quite substantial, in south west London. I inherited the buildings insurance only, from Zurich when Alliance and Leicester sold out to Santander. It currently costs me around £1700 annually. I am not in a flood zone.

This covers Unlimited Buildings insurance (excess £100), Subsidence (excess £1000) and escape of Water (excess £350). Also includes "extended Accidental Damage". There is a comment which says Buildings Sum insured must reflect no less than the full cost of rebuilding your property but as the main schedule shows this amount as unlimited, I assume I am covered.

I am looking at alternative quotes and while I can see some with unlimited Buildings cover, I cannot see anywith subsidence cover, or water damage.

Would I need a special quote for these?

paddyandstumpy

Subs cover and escape of water cover are very standard perils to include on a home insurance policy (assuming it's an owner occupied risk not landlords or commercial premises).

Read the summary of covers or key facts documents for the quotes you're getting, I'm sure they will cover those perils.

rs65

littlerock wrote: »

I am looking at alternative quotes and while I can see some with unlimited Buildings cover, I cannot see anywith subsidence cover, or water damage.

I can't see why you are having a problem with this. Almost all cover subsidence and water damage.

Direct Line do unlimited buildings cover.

dacouch

rs65 wrote: »

I can't see why you are having a problem with this. Almost all cover subsidence and water damage.

As the inherited policy is with Zurich I think the OP's problem is because the house has had previous subsidence.

It would be helpful if the OP could confirm this

littlerock

Regarding the subsidence issue, I realise that nearly all policies will have it, but I have been looking at confused.com etc and the policies they pull up do not have any category for subsidence or water escape with a little tick to show it is covered. Usually policy quotes show both the basic terms and any extra you can pay for. These do not. I should like to be sure I am covered.

I bought my house quite a long time ago from an elderly lady who owned it outright. I am not away of any subsidence and it did not come up on the survey.

paddyandstumpy

Just because the front end of the comparison site doesn't list it, doesn't mean it's not covered.

As suggested, review the key facts for the quotes that take your fancy, it's a standard peril so the insurer has to declare if it's not covered (and therefore an unusual exclusion listed on the key facts).

I've presumed this is your own owner occupied house insurance? If it's landlords or commercial it's not so simple.

rs65

littlerock wrote: »

have been looking at confused.com etc and the policies they pull up do not have any category for subsidence or water escape with a little tick to show it is covered. Usually policy quotes show both the basic terms and any extra you can pay for. These do not. I should like to be sure I am covered.

Narrow your options down to a couple and then check the policy. Don't rely on a tick on a comparison site.

Your first post refers to certain perils which have a higher than standard excess rather than what perils are covered. Maybe that's where your confusion is.