AXA Home insurance Subsidence claim policy wording. Help!

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I called AXA home insurance about cracks in my home inside and out back in 2014.
They said it wasn't actual subsidence just a leaky drain that was then fixed.
They said it wasn't actual subsidence just a leaky drain that was then fixed.
The final report said "minor subsidence due to a crack in a drain that resettled"
When I renewed my policy and asked 'do I say I had subsidence in the last 10 years' they said no. As it wasn't really subsidence.
When I renewed my policy and asked 'do I say I had subsidence in the last 10 years' they said no. As it wasn't really subsidence.
I have just discovered more cracks, far more worrying cracks, but I am scared that if I phone AXA saying I might have subsidence they will say "you should have ticked the box to say you had subsidence in the last 10 years" because the report technically said 'Minor Subsidence' . . .
I don't have a paper trail, I was just told by AXA on the phone that they didn't think it counted as actual subsidence.
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Perhaps a starting point would be to instruct a structural engineer to come and have a look, and give you an opinion on the cause of the cracks.
And maybe discuss options for moving forward with the structural engineer.
For example, repairing a leaking drain and re-plastering might not be too expensive (if that's all that's needed) - and the structural engineer might then give you a certificate of structural adequacy.
You can then maybe find another insurer who will insure you, as you have a certificate of structural adequacy - and you can cancel your AXA policy.
Whatever way you move forward, it's probably best not to contact your insurance company unless/until you know it really is subsidence, and you have a plan.
They redecorated but the cracks returned, then they redecorated again and the cracks returned again. This time they said it was just normal house movement and they had finished with it.
My problem is a new crack showing at the side of the house outside and in. I am worried these really are REAL substance (they are certainly nothing to do with minor drain leakage at the back from 2014).
Guy from AXA said it didn't count as subsidence, but it must have done because I paid the £1000 subsidence excess.
Yep. That's why I suggested that you don't call AXA at this stage, and you call a structural engineer instead.
And you don't call AXA until you have advice from the structural engineer and you have worked out a plan for moving forward.
Get a report.
Then if it goes against you sit and think about what you are to say.
Being honest is the best policy.
Be open and honest you did not note, was not aware, ignorant, etc but be polite and honest.
You may be pleasantly surprised but if not, you will have a proper cover and no black marks against your name.
Being honest often pays but not always but it is not worth holding back something you may be aware of.
However, you did pay the 1k and if you genuinely did forget, tell them and when they say you own them x amount because of what happened, don't argue, pay up.
Often they ask, "any history of ......"
There would be a note on your file hopefully from 2014. EG, I rang the ins outfit re my car, winter tyres, no extra charge but I asked them to make a note on the sytem as i was on the phone and for good measure I took their name, city they worked in and time and date of call - sure I lost that note with the name soon after but I'm pretty sure the guy when i asked for name etc made the note
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I don't think this was an email conversation, or even a call to AXA, I think it was an unrecorded call to his unit or even his mobile. It's all so long ago now, I'm just not sure. . . but I do know I fretted about it back then.
I am wondering if the 'any heave or subsidence in the last 10 years' might be to stop people new to the house or moving to AXA pulling a fast one, rather than me 'assuming the worst' and thinking it's there to trap me.
Might I presume that they would be, and should be (without being told) well aware of issues that they have felt with themselves?
Having had a Subsidence case, I regularly go through the Ombudsman decisions for any new cases.
I saw one today that reminded me of your question.
I thought you might be interested to read it.
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-3459555.pdf