Content Writer
Mortgage Advisor & Director
Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath your home begins to sink or shift. It can cause costly damage to your home due to the impact it has on the foundations, which potentially leads to further problems with your walls and floors as cracks develop or your house becomes unbalanced.
Here, we’ll cover whether home insurance policies in the UK cover subsidence and what you should do if your property has a history of subsidence or if it’s located in a high-risk area. We’ll also explain how to compare the best providers and where to get specialist support.
Does home insurance cover subsidence?
Yes, most standard home insurance policies in the UK include some level of cover for subsidence as part of your buildings insurance. This typically protects you against damage caused by subsidence, heave (the opposite of subsidence, where the ground rises), and landslip.
However, if your property has a known history of subsidence, has been underpinned, or is located in a high-risk area (perhaps near clay soil or old mines), you may need a specialist home insurance policy. In some cases, insurers may exclude subsidence altogether or charge higher premiums.
How does it work?
Before taking out a home insurance policy, it’s always worth checking what sort of subsidence issues could qualify for a claim. With a valid policy in place, if you suspect there are any signs of subsidence or issues relating to the ground below or near your home, you’ll need to contact your insurance provider to notify them.
Once you’ve given your insurer all the details you’re currently aware of, they’ll usually send out a structural engineer or surveyor to assess the damage. These experts can investigate the cause and report this back. If accepted, your claim could cover the cost of any repairs (minus any excess), such as:
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Fixing cracks and redecoration
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Strengthening or underpinning the foundations
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Repairing damaged pipework caused by ground movement
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Providing alternative accommodation (while work is carried out)
Getting home insurance for a house with subsidence
If your property has already been affected by subsidence or has been underpinned (the foundations were previously reinforced or strengthened), you may need specialist home insurance for subsidence. Standard high-street insurers might decline cover, offer limited protection, or impose strict conditions and exclusions.
Properties with a risk of subsidence
Homes built on clay soil, near large trees, or in areas with a history of mining tend to be more vulnerable to ground movement. You may not have had a claim in the past, but insurers could still consider your property a higher risk, especially if there have been recent floods, storms, prolonged dry spells, or droughts in the area.
If you’re buying a house in one of these areas, you’ll need to disclose the risk (and any past history of subsidence) when applying for home insurance. Leaky drains highlighted in a building survey could also lead to subsidence problems and should be taken note of as well.
Cover with a history of subsidence
If you want home insurance for a property with a history of previous subsidence, even if repairs were completed years ago, you’ll likely need to provide your insurer with:
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Details of the subsidence (what happened, how long ago, and the cause)
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Evidence of repairs or underpinning
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A recent structural survey or engineer’s report
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Any previous insurance claims or payouts
Specialist insurers can usually provide tailored cover with flexible underwriting for your home insurance if you’ve had previous subsidence, but your premiums and policy excess may be higher.
How to choose the right cover
Subsidence issues can be hard to spot and could result in major repairs, which can be extremely costly. If you’ve got a comprehensive home insurance policy in place, this might cover the majority of any costs you incur. However, not all policies are equal, or cover all types of subsidence.
It’s always best to get an insurance adviser to help you arrange the correct type of cover before any potential issues arise. This will give you some peace of mind, especially if you're in a vulnerable area. But, if you’re already dealing with subsidence, specialist support from an experienced adviser is even more crucial.
If you’d like a free, no-obligation chat with an adviser specialising in home insurance with subsidence, you can get started here:
Get bespoke quotes and expert home insurance advice
Best home insurance providers for subsidence
Not all insurers provide comprehensive cover for future subsidence events, or insurance for homes with existing or potential subsidence issues. To give you an idea of some options, here are a few examples of popular UK home insurance providers that might offer cover for subsidence:
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Aviva: Although home insurance policies with Aviva include cover for subsidence as standard, there’s a minimum excess to pay of £1,000 with any claims. During a claim, Aviva will appoint a specialist third-party company to manage any subsidence-related processes.
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Direct Line: With Direct Line, you’ll get cover for certain types of subsidence issues included with their home insurance policies, but they have specific exclusions and won’t cover any damage from coastal or river erosion.
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Admiral: Home insurance policies from Admiral may cover subsidence, but not if any of the loss or damage caused by subsidence, heave or landslip is the result of a storm or flood.
If you want to get a better idea of realistic home insurance quotes, it’s best to have a brief discussion with an adviser. This is particularly crucial if your property has a history of subsidence or you need a specialist insurer that can tailor a policy to your specific situation.
Why choose Teito for your home insurance needs?
Getting home insurance with comprehensive cover for subsidence (or for a property with a history of subsidence) can be challenging. Regardless of whether your house is at risk or you just want some peace of mind, our expert advisers can help you get the right protection at the best price.
Our advisers are experts when it comes to home insurance for subsidence and specialise in this challenging area, understanding the unique risks involved with these claims and which specialist insurers to approach. They can help you get the correct type and level of insurance to ensure you’re adequately covered.
Here are some more reasons why people across the UK trust us to get them home insurance with subsidence:
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We specialise in comprehensive subsidence protection
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Our advisers are 5-star rated on leading review sites
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Your first consultation is free, with no obligation to proceed
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Access to tailored underwriting for subsidence
Ready for a free, no-obligation chat with a home insurance subsidence specialist? You can get started here.
FAQs
Yes, it's possible to get home insurance excluding subsidence cover; however, it’s usually included with many policies as standard. Typically, subsidence would only be excluded if you’ve had previous problems or claims relating to specific types of ground movement or water damage.
Choosing an Adviser
Selecting a qualified and experienced mortgage adviser is of great importance. To choose a suitable adviser, evaluate their qualifications, experience, and reputation, and ensure they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Read reviews from previous clients and make sure they provide a clear explanation of the products and services they offer, as well as the fees and charges associated with them.