House insurance - subsidence

Barbudo

Hi - when we bought this house 20 years ago there was a phrase in the surveyor's report "the property has experienced historic subsidence". This has hung over our heads since then as I've had to mention it to insurance companies and the moment I mention the word most companies tell me they're not interested. Apparently there was subsidence back in 1976  (the house is built on London clay) but nothing since, except......there used to be a tree on the pavement outside our house, which the council removed 4 years ago as it's roots caused minor cracking in our wall.

Everything has been fine since then.

I'm stuck with our original insurers and the price hikes have been huge. I'd love to be able to shop around but as soon as they ask, "Does your house have a history of subsidence?" I have to say yes and then they're not interested any more.

So....can I lie, knowing that proper subsidence was 50 years ago? Does the tree root thing count as subsidence? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Boohoo

Barbudo said:

Hi - when we bought this house 20 years ago there was a phrase in the surveyor's report "the property has experienced historic subsidence". This has hung over our heads since then as I've had to mention it to insurance companies and the moment I mention the word most companies tell me they're not interested. Apparently there was subsidence back in 1976  (the house is built on London clay) but nothing since, except......there used to be a tree on the pavement outside our house, which the council removed 4 years ago as it's roots caused minor cracking in our wall.

Everything has been fine since then.

I'm stuck with our original insurers and the price hikes have been huge. I'd love to be able to shop around but as soon as they ask, "Does your house have a history of subsidence?" I have to say yes and then they're not interested any more.

So....can I lie, knowing that proper subsidence was 50 years ago? Does the tree root thing count as subsidence? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.

I think you need to go to an insurance broker as they can look at more companies that are suited to your issue.

Any photos of the damage caused in the past 4 years?

poseidon1

Boohoo said:

Barbudo said:

Hi - when we bought this house 20 years ago there was a phrase in the surveyor's report "the property has experienced historic subsidence". This has hung over our heads since then as I've had to mention it to insurance companies and the moment I mention the word most companies tell me they're not interested. Apparently there was subsidence back in 1976  (the house is built on London clay) but nothing since, except......there used to be a tree on the pavement outside our house, which the council removed 4 years ago as it's roots caused minor cracking in our wall.

Everything has been fine since then.

I'm stuck with our original insurers and the price hikes have been huge. I'd love to be able to shop around but as soon as they ask, "Does your house have a history of subsidence?" I have to say yes and then they're not interested any more.

So....can I lie, knowing that proper subsidence was 50 years ago? Does the tree root thing count as subsidence? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.

I think you need to go to an insurance broker as they can look at more companies that are suited to your issue.

Any photos of the damage caused in the past 4 years?

But don't lie to the broker!

huckster

Legal and General Insurance used to quote for subsidence risks provided the subsidence was historic. 

Towergate  Brokers may be worth contacting to see which Insurers will quote and what the process is.  Some Insurers may require an up to date survey report, as well as details of what works were completed after the subsidence claim.

Barbudo

Boohoo said:

Barbudo said:

Hi - when we bought this house 20 years ago there was a phrase in the surveyor's report "the property has experienced historic subsidence". This has hung over our heads since then as I've had to mention it to insurance companies and the moment I mention the word most companies tell me they're not interested. Apparently there was subsidence back in 1976  (the house is built on London clay) but nothing since, except......there used to be a tree on the pavement outside our house, which the council removed 4 years ago as it's roots caused minor cracking in our wall.

Everything has been fine since then.

I'm stuck with our original insurers and the price hikes have been huge. I'd love to be able to shop around but as soon as they ask, "Does your house have a history of subsidence?" I have to say yes and then they're not interested any more.

So....can I lie, knowing that proper subsidence was 50 years ago? Does the tree root thing count as subsidence? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks.

I think you need to go to an insurance broker as they can look at more companies that are suited to your issue.

Any photos of the damage caused in the past 4 years?

I looked at companies that dealt with subsidence - their rates are sky high!

Photos of the damagr -no - the council sent a team of contractors who filled the cracks and because the tree is no longer there there was no more shrinkage caused by the roots. I was told that as the roots died there might be some shifting but that hasn't hapened. So, there's nothing to show now - by looking at the walls - that this happened.

dunstonh

Does the tree root thing count as subsidence?

Depends on whether it caused subsidence or movement.   

You could get a structural engineer's report, hoping it gives you a clean bill of health, and use it with selected insurers known to consider such reports.

Our house has been moving for hundreds of years.  It's got old iron ties; one wing has sunk a little. It's on clay, and NFU covered it after the structural engineer graded it a 2 on their scale, putting it at low risk with periodic repairs and minor maintenance during droughts.  NFU read the report and offered terms with no restrictions.

I'm stuck with our original insurers and the price hikes have been huge.

How much? (just for context).  Mine is just over £3k a year which many would consider huge.  However, relative to what is covered, it is not.