Home insurance/cracks in walls

chrish52447

Thanks again for the help. If it isn’t subsidence but is movement from the extension for example then do you think that is likely to cause any problem getting new insurance or would the sole liability be on the previous insurer to pay for any work? And would the new insurer just see the problem as solved?

Annemos

I just added an FOS case for you above. 

If it is not Subsidence and there is not any other cover under the Policy for what caused it, then the Previous Insurer will not pay out. (E.g.  if it is due to "bad workmanship, insufficient foundations, lack of maintenance etc etc). 

But they should give you a report saying what the cause actually is. You will then have to get it rectified yourself at your cost. And you can then provide the Structural Report and repairs-proofs to any new Insurer. That will establish that you have the evidence for telling the new Insurer that your home is not suffering from Subsidence, when you ask to set up a new policy. 

Best of luck with all this. 

 

chrish52447

Thanks, I think I understand now but as this is all likely to be ongoing at the time I need to renew insurance then would any new insurer give me a policy during any investigation/repairs or would it be a case of having to wait until everything is sorted before applying for insurance again and providing them with the findings/proof of work?

Annemos

If this was me. Open up the Subsidence Claim now with the Current Insurer, so you protect yourself and are entitled to ongoing cover with that Insurer. 

Highly unlikely you will find a new Insurer once a Claim is in process. (And also I believe while you have this cracking that you will have to declare to a new Insurer, even if you had not yet started a Claim.)

Take multiple photos of the cracking inside and outside, now, so you have proof why you are concerned about Subsidence. 

Annemos

You always have to be careful with new policies, to fully disclose what they ask for.

I have seen cases where homeowners took out a new Policy and did not declare the cracking. 

The new Insurer found out about it and tried to Void the Policy for non-disclosure. Voiding of a policy has very negative and ongoing consequences for a Homeowner. The FOS upheld some of these cases. 

In a couple of cases, the Insurer was looking at Google Earth and saw the pre-existing cracking. 

chrish52447

I have now spoken to my insurer and submitted the claim online with attached photo’s. They said it would either be a loss adjuster or subsidence team that comes out. Thanks for the advice and fingers crossed!

DullGreyGuy

chrish52447 said:
When informing me they couldn’t insure me for next year the current insurer did specify I didn’t have to inform any new insurer that I had been refused, Im assuming this is because I didn’t make any claim and we don’t actually know what the current issue is. 

It depends on the exact question your next insurer ask... the traditional question of "have you ever had a policy canceled, voided or refused or special terms applied" the answer would be "no" because declining to quote is not a refusal of insurance (refusal of insurance basically doesn't happen any more because we now deal with things electronically rather than a broker issuing you a cover note and then having to post documents to the insurer asking them to issue you a certificate). 

However some insurers have changed the question and now tack on to the above question "or ever been refused a renewal quote". If you're asked that question then you'd have to answer "yes" because you have had an insurer refuse to offer you a renewal. 

Its another not great question to be honest because anyone who buys from a broker (which are more common than people seem to think) potentially will never know they were refused a renewal by their insurer because the broker rebrokes the business anyway and they still get a renewal letter with a quote and probably won't notice the underwriter has changed and even if they do they won't know if its just because of pricing or something else. 

78daniel

hi , chrish52447

i am facing similar dilemma to yourself, i would be really grateful if you could update me on your issue.
have you managed to sort out the claim with your insurers.?
thanks

Neil8419

never cracks in walls are easily fixed, get a professional to carry out the necessary work 

dunstonh

Neil8419 said:

never cracks in walls are easily fixed, get a professional to carry out the necessary work 

In some areas, cracks are commonplace and completely normal and should be fixed under routine maintenance.  Going to insurance to claim should be an option of last resort and you are saving up pain for later.  e.g. higher premiums, less choice of insurers and lower house prices when you come to sell.