worried sick , cracks in house

EssexHebridean

So does it also stipulate that you are responsible for the external structure of the property? If so, then you will need to get someone to take a look at that cracking. 

It would also be sensible to check whether the lease says that you need to report this sort of issue to the freeholder - although if so and assuming that it will be down to you to sort things out, it may well be best to wait until you have a professional consensus on what the problem is, how it was caused, and how it will be repaired. (Subject to anything in the lease that says you need to report it as soon as it is found, of course). 

Annemos

Submit a claim immediately is my advice. It would not be a good thing to leave discussing this with them until right before your policy comes due. 

As far as I know, once you log a potential claim, then they will not be able to drop you from Insurance while investigations are going on to ascertain if you do have subsidence.  

Annemos

There was a similar post recently on the Insurance part of this Forum. If you read it through to the end. He opened up a claim. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6554038/home-insurance-cracks-in-walls/p2

78daniel

thanks to all for your advice and replies. i have submitted claim and have been told structural engineer will be contacting me. 
 will keep you updated on how it progresses
i was wary about contacting insurers as i have read many scary stories of how the insurers deal with these claims and try their best to not pay out.

EssexHebridean

Ultimately though - it’s the reason we have insurance isn’t it. I wish you luck in getting it all sorted, please do pop back with updates so we know how you’re getting on! 

Albermarle

78daniel said:

thanks to all for your advice and replies. i have submitted claim and have been told structural engineer will be contacting me. 
 will keep you updated on how it progresses
i was wary about contacting insurers as i have read many scary stories of how the insurers deal with these claims and try their best to not pay out.

On the other hand they will definitely not pay out, if you do not claim !

Annemos

And wishing you a smooth claim from me, too. I think this was the only option, because you are so close to the Policy having to be renewed. You did not have enough time to get your own Structural Engineer in and that would have been an extra expense. 


If you do encounter any problems, post on here. We may be able to help. 


Here are some early pointers for you to watch for, now you have started the claim: about your Insurance Cover. 


1   Your Insurance Company must keep you under insurance while they are investigating this. If it indeed turns out to be Subsidence, then you must do all you can to stay with the same Insurer both during the Claim and ALSO after it is completed.   

(The top LEADING Main Insurer on your Policy. Thus not any intermediate companies that may have been involved in setting up your Policy.) 

I have Ombudsman cases for you if you ever need help on this. 

========

2a   If they say it is not Subsidence. Make sure you get a proper letter and analysis from them as to why they say it is not Subsidence. And what they think it might be. (So you can provide that eventually to any new Insurers.)

2b   And linking in with that.   There is a big Insurance Database that most of them use these days. It is called the CUE. Claims and Underwriting Exchange. It is looked at when a homeowner has a claim or sometimes when a homeowner takes out a new policy. It affects the pricing of policies etc. 

If it is determined later that this is NOT Subsidence, then you will need to make sure that they have NOT kept a "Subsidence/Ground Movement" claim on the CUE.   (Things stay on the CUE for 6 years from the Date of Closure of the Claim.)  One can do a DSAR to eventually check what is on there. (Data Request.) 

I also have Ombudsman's cases on this, too. There are ways for them to change the CUE entry so that the claim is shown as something else, if it turns out not to have been Subsidence. 

=========

3  Finally, start taking photos now of ALL damage. Regularly take photos so they can be compared to see if the cracks are getting wider etc or if there is any new damage. This is also your own evidence of what has taken place, should you ever need it. 

=========

78daniel

thanks again
really appreciate all the support 

EssexHebridean

When you take the photos, try to ensure you stand in the same places each time so the perspective is exactly the same. Consciously lining the edge of the photos up with the a known point each time can help. 

78daniel

hi everyone, just a quick update.
insurers sent out engineer last week , didn't give us much information, just said problem could have been caused by tree roots or drains. although he did say none of the trees were close enough to the property. 
they have arranged drains inspection and ground works (holes and excavation ) . however they wont be done until end of the month,
just concerned at the time it is taking for them to come out for the investigations as i am beginning to notice further cracks, resulting in further damage.
however, the investigation  guy did mention when he was explaining their procedures , that depending on their findings and report the loss assessor would decide whether they would be responsible for carrying out the repairs or not.

this made my blood pressure rise eek!

contacted new insurers  (appointed by previous ones as they are not doing insurance anymore) regarding premium , 
i did tell the advisor that current insurers have been told of the issues and they are carrying out investigations regarding the cause of the cracks.
was told by the advisor that unless a claim has been made it would not affect the new policy, and proceeded to issue policy documents.
i am concerned regarding this , that they may  in future say i did not disclose information as i thought they would take this into consideration.
would it be wise to contact them again prior to renewal date ?