Can I get Home Insurance with a Crack in Exterior Wall?

Maffy52

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of buying a house and the survey identified a crack in the exterior wall.
The surveyor considers it is most likely due to thermal expansion rather than subsidence/heave.

In this situation, can I get home insurance? How do I 'prove' it is not subsidence?
Any advice or suggestions really appreciated, not a clue what to do here!

Thanks..A.
 

user1977

Which of the insurers' questions are you having trouble with? Are they asking generally about "cracks"? You don't need to prove that something isn't subsidence, but you will certainly be asked a question which would require you to declare if you know there is (or probably is) subsidence.

Maffy52

user1977 said:

Which of the insurers' questions are you having trouble with? 

Thanks for your advice. I have done an online quote (with LV), the question is;
     "Has the property ever shown signs of subsidence, heave or landslip?"
                [signs can include cracks around windows and doors. You must
                answer YES to this question even if the signs appear historic or non-progressive]

Basically, if I say YES, then they cannot insure the property. But I don't think there is any subsidence, just a crack.
But, if I say NO, then I maybe haven't answered the question correctly/honestly, invalidating my insurance.

I am not sure what to do in this situation? Any advice would be great!...Thanks...

user1977

Your surveyor doesn't think it's subsidence, heave or landslip, do they? So the crack isn't a sign of any of them.

Maffy52

user1977 said:

Your surveyor doesn't think it's subsidence, heave or landslip, do they? So the crack isn't a sign of any of them.

Understood, thanks. I guess it is the word 'signs' that has confused me.

If the question was 'does the property have or ever had subsidence/heave/landslip?' then it is an NO. 

But, when they say 'signs' I begin to think what that means, what could be a sign?

One final question, should I get a structural engineer to survey the property and make a report in addition to a surveyors home buyers report?