building insurance website flagged me the property I am going to exchange in 2 weeks had subsidence

myself1999

I am going to exchange in 1 or 2 weeks.
I used one of the building insurance compare websites to try to buy the building insurance.
It has a very cool feature that when you enter the address of the property. 
it said it gathers information from different verified sources. 
it will then automatically fill in answers for you
Most automatic answers are accurate like the number of rooms and whether it has been flooded before.

But it is a yes to the question "Has the property ever has subsidence" 

Seller (who has been in the property for 2-3 years ) response that there is no subsidence history
My building survey report says there is no sign indicating there is subsidence or movement. 
I worried the compare website is able to access some databases to determine if had subsidence.
It could be a red flag or it could be just inaccurate data.

I have been worrying about the subsidence risk of the property as it is at a moderate to high risk.
but the survey came out ok so I thought I was over worrying. 

I am very worried that the property had a subsidence issue 

Is there any proper way I can check whether the property had subsidence in the past

Many thanks

MysteryMe

Why would you place more weight on some random website when you have had a qualified professional actually visit the property in question?   

eddddy

myself1999 said:

I am very worried that the property has a subsidence issue 

I'd guess the the 'pre-fill' info either comes from:

1. The CUE database (which contains details of home insurance claims for the last 6 years)
2. A previous home insurance application - i.e. Somebody has previously got insurance quotes for that property, and answered 'Yes' to that question.

(You didn't 'accidentally' answer 'Yes' to that question at some point, and the system is remembering your earlier answer?)


The CUE database records 'incidents' as well as claims. So if somebody phoned their insurer and said something like "I think there's some subsidence" - that would probably be recorded, even if it turned out not to be subsidence.  But I don't know if that would trigger a "Yes" for that question.


You're only required to answer insurance questions to "the best of your knowledge", and if a surveyor didn't spot any evidence of subsidence repairs, and searches don't show up any underpinning building regs, and the seller says there's been no subsidence in reply to pre-contract enquiries - you'd be pretty safe to answer "No" to that question.


But, as you suggest, it would be reassuring to know where the system is getting that "Yes" from.

myself1999

But, as you suggest, it would be reassuring to know where the system is getting that "Yes" from.

Update: I have sent an email to ask the insurance comparison website. They have been helpful and confirmed the Yes is due to a customer has been answered yes to the previous subsidence question to get quotations for that property. Which is exactly Eddy's guess number 2.  

I wonder why that customer answer Yes to "had subsidence in the past". It could be the previous owner, potential buyer or a completely random person. It could be someone who wants to know the price difference if there is subsidence. It could be just a mistake. 

TheJP

Generally an underpinned property paid out on a subsidence property will be more secure than one that has not. Was the premium higher than those in the same area? Have you asked the seller?