hOUSE BUILDINGS INSURANCE - subsidence history

Aberdare_2

Any suggestions for insurance companies or brokers who will handle house buildings insurance for our house (converted into 4 flats) with old history of subsidence? Building work on subsidence was carried out 14 years ago and house is solid as rock, but companies just don't want to know. So stuck with existing company who rip us off! Any suggestions welcomed.
Thanks.

stick_2

If you are desperate and have no insurance at present then Adrian Flux or Towergate seem to be the popular specialist choices. But don't expect an easy ride. The first thing they will ask for (as does everybody) is a full structural survey less than 1 year old before they will proceed at all. This is true as far as I can see for any broker and any level of severity of your subsidence history.

My own experience, for what its worth: I had a claim for minor subsidence 9 years ago - no underpinning, just stitching a couple of cracks in the bay window, and the cost of repair was a mere £24 more than my excess of £1000. The cause of the problem (hedge) was identified and removed and I have had no recurrence. I was insured with Direct Line and stayed with them (usual procedure). I have just had my renewal from Direct Line which has gone up 20% in one year, and is now by my estimate about twice what I would pay had I not got the stigma of subsidence. I have investigated changing insurer. I actually managed to engage the rep from Adrian Flux in some sort of conversation (without providing aforementioned structural survey) and was told that Direct Line's charges are about the going rate since my subsidence was more or less "only cosmetic". Had I had underpinning it would have cost me a lot more! I fear for the future since I see no reason for Direct Line not to increase my premium without limit in years to come since they have me over a barrel, and I do wonder about being able to sell the property when the time comes.

sunny427

I am in the same situation where no will touch me as we had subsidence many moons ago
Have to stay with my current company Zurich. Will approach Adrian Flus and Towergate

Most will require a surveyors report like Halifax before they insure you which will cost £500 at least
So is it worth it looking for a new quote or stay with current insurer who bleed you dry?

MortgageMamma

this is the company I use when I get cases like yours

Subsidence Claims Advisory Bureau

Charter House, 43, St. Leonards Rd, Bexhill-On-Sea, East Sussex TN40 1JA
Tel: 01424 733727
Classification: Information Services

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they are really good

MM

baribil

If you call the number given by MM for Subsidence Claims Advisory Bureau, you get a recorded message with a new number 08453006127 which may cost you more than the geographic number but they really are helpful!

luckyden

:mad:I am having the same problem as you all are,i had subsidence in 2004 and have had to have the drains re laid, no underpinning was done, but i had an extension built, i have been with the same insurance broker for all these previous years and have not had problem until now that is.The insurance broker that i am currently with, has told me that they cant get anyone to cover me so thanks but no thanks, now i am stuck with no insurance and no one to cover me HELP!!!!!!!!

dacouch

luckyden wrote: »

:mad:I am having the same problem as you all are,i had subsidence in 2004 and have had to have the drains re laid, no underpinning was done, but i had an extension built, i have been with the same insurance broker for all these previous years and have not had problem until now that is.The insurance broker that i am currently with, has told me that they cant get anyone to cover me so thanks but no thanks, now i am stuck with no insurance and no one to cover me HELP!!!!!!!!

Which Insurance company are you with ?

luckyden

i was with NIG via SWINTONS the broker.

retro_vision

I found these guys on a google search when I fell in love with a house that had been underpinned 20 odd years ago and they were fab. Brought the house, took out insurance, Ember JD Insurance Brokers, Belhaven House, 67 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, tel 020 89412204, emberjd.com

Whatdoiknow

luckyden wrote: »

i was with NIG via SWINTONS the broker.

I am in exactly the same situation, We bought the house in Jan 1997 with a few smallish problems on the surveyors report relating to a small internal crack and some trees.

We took the problem up with the sellers and we agreed that they would remove the trees and we would sort the crack, however they looked into making a subsidence claim but were told that the cost of removing the trees would be less than the excess so as far as I know there was no claim but it would seem that details of this were put on the record of the house and it shows up like a beacon.

We continued with the same insurer and broker as the sellers, NU now AVIVA and at first their premiums were very reasonable till they shot up but our broker mangaged to get a decent quote from NIG who we have been with for the past year but as quoted they no longer do buildings insurance.

Unfortunately this record of a subsidence claim against our house seems to be there forever as our broker was taken over twice and there are no documents left, only details that a claim was made on their computer.:mad:

aberis

Having an underpinned property myself, I know the hassle and cost involved in insuring this.

However for everyone out there with older underpinned properties, I found some great news last night whilst looking for a new insurer.

Legal and General will insure an underpinned property IF the work was completed more than 15 years ago; at what appears to be no extra cost. I have just sorted out my buildings insurance with them this morning for around £240pa for my house which was underpinned in 1987/88

Apparently, speaking to the call centre agent, L&G consider that 15 years is long enough for any problems to re-occur.

Hope this is helpful; and spread the word ... maybe other insurers will start to follow suit.