Buildings insurance, claiming for crack that appeared a few years ago, when I had different insurer

Sportacus

Hi,

I'm not an expert on houses and building, but have recently got more concerned about a crack that appeared a few years ago around my loft hatch, that extends down the wall next to it. I've also noticed some reverberation in the wooden floor in the same room (like a joist is slightly loose).  As a moneysavingexpert fan I've usually changed insurance provider every year at renewal.  I'm worried it might be subsidence, how should I handle this?

DullGreyGuy

When did you notice the damage? You need to claim on the insurance that was inforce at that time. 

If you noticed the damage close to a change of insurer then its like the ABI Subsidence Claims Handling Agreement will apply which means if it was within 8 weeks of switching the old insurer deals with it, between 8 weeks and 1 year of switching the insurer at the time and prior insurer share the cost and if it was over 1 year after switching then the insurer at the time deals with it.

dunstonh

 I'm worried it might be subsidence, how should I handle this?

Employ a structural engineer to do a visit focused on that crack.  It's not that expensive and it gives you the chance to find out whether it is routine maintenance (as most cracks are) or something more costly where you may want to use the insurer.  Most cracks that require routine maintenance that you take care of are not reportable to insurers but the minute you inform the insurer and ask them to look at it, you are stuck with that for the rest of the time you are in that property.  Even if it turns out to be something very minor.

Smithcom

dunstonh said:

 I'm worried it might be subsidence, how should I handle this?

Employ a structural engineer to do a visit focused on that crack.  It's not that expensive and it gives you the chance to find out whether it is routine maintenance (as most cracks are) or something more costly where you may want to use the insurer.  Most cracks that require routine maintenance that you take care of are not reportable to insurers but the minute you inform the insurer and ask them to look at it, you are stuck with that for the rest of the time you are in that property.  Even if it turns out to be something very minor.

@Dunsonh - I don't disagree with you, however, there are two issues here:

1.  Claims Reporting (of a possible subsidence matter)
2.   Disclosure at inception/renewal date.

At inception/renewal, many (most) insurers issue a Statement of Fact which will contain your personal details including about you and about your home.  Sometimes the insurer will ask about cracking.   Sometime, just about subsidence.  One needs to be very careful.

If you move to a new insurer or renew a policy, and don't disclose cracking, they could avoid the policy (if they had asked the question about cracking).

So whilst a matter may not (seem to) be a subsidence issue, it still might need disclosure to the insurer as part of their underwriting.

Insurance is never ever a problem.....until it becomes one

I agree that a structural engineer's report (not via the insurer) is the best way forward.

Care needed

SC