Nationwide Building Cover - subsidence?

PenguinForever

Hi, I have recently purchased a property. This was quite a quick process and on first glance, the property looked fine so we decided not to go with a survey to save on money (I now know this was not the right decision!). Once we moved in, we noticed some signs of subsidence. I have looked into this further and I am quite concerned and would like it to be investigated further. However, I am really concerned with the cost! When I purchased the property, I took out building insurance with Nationwide. 

 Should this building insurance cover the investigation of subsidence and the cure if something needs to be done or is this not covered? I have tried looking, but I am finding conflicting information.

 If I am honest, we are really scared! It looks like subsidence can cost £1000’s, and this is money we simply do not have.

Any help or advice would be greatly received.

Weighty1

This subsidence would be a pre-existing issue prior to you buying the property and present before taking out the insurance so wouldn't be covered.  Unfortunately, as you've found, this is one of the main reasons for having a survey prior to purchase.

TELLIT01

Assuming the vendors were asked about any subsidence issues and stated they weren't aware of any problems, the OP may be covered by their insurer as they had no way to know the potential problem.  The OP needs to speak to their insurer to get a final answer.

Sandtree

Insurance like Home covers you based on the event that caused the loss being within the period of the policy and so for your insurers to cover you then you in theory need to show the issue didnt exist before you took out the policy but in this case it sounds like that isnt the case.

Subsidence typically isnt however caused by a single event and so there are certain industry agreements on how such claims should be handled when the insured has switched insurers abi-domestic-subsidence-claims-agreement-and-guidelines-dec-2017.pdf This however doesnt consider where the insured has changed.

Unfortunately it appears you'll find out the hard way that cutting corners on due diligence isnt money saving. In the first instance it is probably worth getting an expert out to assess if it is indeed subsidence or settlement cracks etc.

dunstonh

. Once we moved in, we noticed some signs of subsidence.

Subsidence or movement.  People often get the two things mixed up and it can mean a big difference to resolving.

A good proportion of properties in the UK continuously move and get periodic cracking that is nothing more than cosmetic.   So, is yours movement or subsidence?

PenguinForever

Thanks so much for the replies guys.

re subsidence or movement - you are right to raise this, at this stage, it’s just movement. There are no cracks, but the floor and parts of the door frame slope / slant. However, this is a terraced house and does not effect any of the neighbours? 

8871Jlw

If you wanted to report something to your insurers, your best bet would be feign innocence and advise you’ve just noticed it.  

As a result, your insurer will then pay for the relevant surveyor/loss adjuster to manage it and for inspections to be carried out.  If it turns out the claim is declined because the damage occurred prior to inception, then at least you’ll know and bonus, it won’t cost you anything.

Sandtree

8871Jlw said:

If you wanted to report something to your insurers, your best bet would be feign innocence and advise you’ve just noticed it.  

As a result, your insurer will then pay for the relevant surveyor/loss adjuster to manage it and for inspections to be carried out.  If it turns out the claim is declined because the damage occurred prior to inception, then at least you’ll know and bonus, it won’t cost you anything.

Other than you can now not change your insurers because you have a subsidence claim which will be something declarable when you sell the property.

Ganga

I would not contact your insurance company and mention subsidence just yet ,once they THINK you have a major problem it might cost you an awfull lot of money ,i would have it checked out by a professional first as it may just be something simple and cost free .