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Personal and Home Insurance : Non Standard Home Insurance : Subsidence Insurance
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Subsidence Insurance
Bluedrop's subsidence insurance provides policies to cover subsidence risk on your property, even when a previous claim has been made or your property has been underpinned.
Each case will be reviewed individually for your level of risk and underwritten to encompass your needs for subsidence insurance.
We have a specialist understanding of subsidence insurance, types of soils, trees and damaged drains causing greater risk and also cover heave and landslip within our policies.
Cracks caused by subsidence are distinctive and may extend below the damp course in more serious cases, or your doors and windows may begin to stick as the property shifts. If you are in any doubt a structural engineer can come to your home to assess the problem for you to ensure that you receive the correct level of subsidence insurance for your property.
It can be extremely hard to sell a property with a history of subsidence, so to help in this situation, we also offer the ability to transfer your subsidence insurance policy to the new homeowner.
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Our subsidence insurance includes...
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Features and benefits:
- The cost of alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable
- Cover for damage caused by emergency access up to £1000
- Up to £5m buildings cover including loss or damage to structure of the property, driveway, patios, outbuildings, garages, etc
- Optional extra accidental damage can be quoted
- Up to £2500 contents cover with a £500 single item limit for university or college
- Up to £2m property owners liability
- Money and credit cards automatically covered at £500 in the home
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Call +441489780491 now for a subsidence insurance quote and we'll find the right cover for you...
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What is subsidence?
In the simplest terms, subsidence is the sinking of a building. A building's foundation can no longer support the weight of the building. For property owners, it can be a nightmare. In order to avoid bigger structural support problems, it is crucial to identify and catch any issues early. As you can imagine, this kind of issue can have serious consequences for homeowners who don't have proper subsidence insurance coverage in place.
Signs of subsidence
Subsidence is evident in many ways, both inside and outside a property. It is usually indicated by:
- Wall, ceiling, and brickwork cracks
- The expansion of existing cracks
- Rippled wallpaper that's not caused by damp
- Doors and windows sticking, suggesting a change in their shape
- The appearance of cracks after a long period of dry weather
The sooner subsidence is detected and corrected, the easier it will be to rectify. If you notice signs of subsidence, seek advice as soon as possible. Subsidence insurance is the best way to protect yourself from these damages taking over your home.
What are the main causes of subsidence?
Natural causes of subsidence:
Subsidence is largely caused by moisture, which occurs in a number of ways. Property built on cohesive soils like clay may experience subsidence as a result of the soil's nature. As moisture levels rise and fall, clay expands and shrinks, causing natural shifts in the ground. The decomposition of some soils can also affect foundations and affect ground levels over time.
Man-made causes of subsidence:
Although man-made subsidence is as common as natural subsidence, it can be more frustrating since it can often be avoided by planning ahead. A variety of reasons can lead to man-made subsidence, from incompetence to corner-cutting. Similarly, things like vibrations from cars passing by, as well as nearby building work, can affect a property's structural integrity.
The best way to reduce subsidence risk
A sinking ground puts tremendous stress on a building's foundations. Cracks in the walls, especially near windows and doors, are often the first sign of these problems.
There are several steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of subsidence occurring.
- Check your property regularly for leaks and/or blocked drainage systems, paying particular attention to pipework, drainage systems, and gutters.
- Trees and bushes planted near the house should be removed. In many cases, subsidence is caused by trees as their roots pull moisture from the soil beneath the foundation.
- Regular pruning is the best way to maintain trees if they cannot be removed. As a result, their growth is likely to slow, and they will be less likely to seek out water close to the house.
Selling a home with subsidence damage
Subsidence can make the sale of your property extremely difficult, so we also offer the option to transfer your subsidence insurance policy to the new owner. Our team has experience transferring policies, so we'll make sure that everything is taken care of for you.
Is it necessary to declare subsidence when selling a house?
When selling your home following subsidence, you might think it's best not to disclose any information that could turn off potential buyers. Nevertheless, all sellers are required to complete an information form regarding the property, which will ask for details of any building work completed (such as underpinning or other subsidence remedial work) on the property.
There will also be a question asking if your existing home insurance has a high excess, if the premiums are particularly high, or if your home insurance has ever been denied. If you're selling your home following subsidence, make sure you disclose any information to the buyer that they must know. It's better to be honest and clear upfront than to be contractually liable for misrepresentation later.
Just like with any insurance, it's important for you to make sure you're getting the protection you need. Bluedrop will analyse your risk level and offer coverage that fits your needs. We have a specialist understanding of subsidence insurance and can help you to understand the causes of, and risks associated with, these types of damage.
For further information, read our guide to subsidence. If you have any further questions about our services, feel free to contact us.