Can not getting a survey done affect housing insurance and the likelihood of them paying out?

JenP85

We purchased a house 5 months ago and didn't get a survey done. 
The reason we didn't was
1: We only had enough to buy the house (Which was literally our dream home)
2: somebody tried to purchase the property before us but had to drop out due to a chain breaking. This person had a survey done and there was only minor quibbles (No structural problems) The estate agent contacted this person (On the quiet) and asked if we could look at the survey which they were happy to. The estate agent did point out that she was not really allowed to do this and asked us keep it quiet. 

We have bought housing insurance obviously with no problems BUT a friend of ours has now said "You do realise if anything happens like Subsidence, roof problems etc in the next few years the insurers wont cover it as you didn't get a survey done and will argue that we bought the house without fully checking it"

is this true? It's worried us quite a bit and i will admit i didn't get much sleep last night worrying about it (I am a major worrier).   

macman

Buildings insurance is not designed to cover pre-existing faults anyway. If part of your roof falls off because it's old and poorly maintained, then that is not covered. If part of it blows off in a storm, then it is covered.
As long as you completed the application honestly then the absence of a survey is not relevant. Lots of properties are purchased without a full survey, and they will all be insured, or should be.

youth_leader

I don't think there is any advantage in having a survey. 

I had a L3 survey on this bungalow when I was purchasing in March 2021 and had two situations within my first year. 

The vendor said the flat resin roof on the extension had been renewed in 2019.   The surveyor thought it was in good order.  In November 2021 Storm Arwen blew this roof off and I had to claim on the house insurance, buildings and contents, for the first time in 30 odd years.

The surveyor said the floors were in good order.  I then found out all the floors were rotten - wet rot/dry rot as well as woodworm in the floorboards, along with mould and damp on the weyroc floors.  Surveyors cannot lift carpets or move furniture.  This was an 'existing' problem and I couldn't claim on the insurance, cost every penny of the equity from my house sale.

I'd recommend having a regular saving fund for maintenance, especially now we seem to have an increase in autumn storms.  I had a look at the 1 star reviews for my insurance company and some Storm Arwen roofing claims were rejected,  due to 'lack of maintenance'.  

user1977

No, it’s not true, but in any event your friend seems misinformed about what insurance might cover even if you did have a survey.

NornIronRose

When taking out home insurance over the past 30 years I have never been asked if I had had a survey done. I always have had surveys done, but no relevance to insurance. 
Hope you sleep easily tonight. 

DullGreyGuy

JenP85 said:

We have bought housing insurance obviously with no problems BUT a friend of ours has now said "You do realise if anything happens like Subsidence, roof problems etc in the next few years the insurers wont cover it as you didn't get a survey done and will argue that we bought the house without fully checking it"

is this true? It's worried us quite a bit and i will admit i didn't get much sleep last night worrying about it (I am a major worrier).   

In short, no its not true.

Putting subsidence aside as it's an odd one anyway, for anything else the insurer will just want to ensure the event that caused the damage happened during the insurance. Now if something happened in the first few weeks (not years) of the insurance then it could be a little useful having a survey report done days before the insurance incepted that doesn't mention a stinking big water stain on the ceiling if the insurers allege it happened pre contract but you are already 5 months in so that kind of risk has passed. 

gwynlas

Presumably you have a mortgage and the lender is happy to have accepted risk as were you. Whilst surveys can be very valuable most only state the obvious and cover themselves by recommending further investigations of electrics drains etc which they cannot see, therefore they are not the be all and end all. If there were no obvious signs of problems to raise with your insurers their cover should be adequate for your needs

MEM62

JenP85 said:

We have bought housing insurance obviously with no problems BUT a friend of ours has now said "You do realise if anything happens like Subsidence, roof problems etc in the next few years the insurers wont cover it as you didn't get a survey done and will argue that we bought the house without fully checking it"
   

What qualifications or experience does this friend have that makes their advice any more reliable 'the bloke down the pub's'?  I think you can safely take their statement with a pinch of salt.      

theartfullodger

Surprisingly there are many insurers in the market for property insurance - and they have different policy conditions, clauses and conditions.  

When you read YOUR insurance policy paperwork, what did it state on the matter please.

Apologies, can't read them from here.

Owning property with no spare cash for any emergencies etc etc is in the opinion of many unwise - but appreciate your position.

Best wishes and good luck.

propertyrental

JenP85 said:

....

We have bought housing insurance obviously with no problems BUT a friend of ours has now said "You do realise if anything happens like Subsidence, roof problems etc in the next few years the insurers wont cover it as you didn't get a survey done and will argue that we bought the house without fully checking it"

is this true? 

Were you down the pub when your friend said this? Exactly how many pints had he had? (yes, sexist I know but my limited knowledge of women leads me to believe they are less likely to spout such rubbish...).

Full marks to you for coming here to verify the facts!