Subsidence insurance

Subsidence is the movement of a building’s foundations caused by the downward movement in the ground, usually after soil under the building dries and shrinks in hot weather, or when underground pipes leak and weaken the soil beneath the foundations. Damage often appears as cracks in the walls, ceilings and around windows or door frames.

The most common cause of subsidence is the shrinkage of soils, particularly clay types, as moisture is extracted from them. Often this might occur as a result of tree roots growing under the property, which becomes more likely in extended periods of hot and dry weather conditions.

Another common cause is drain leakage, where water escapes from underground pipes and washes away (or softens) soils so that they are no longer able to support the weight of the foundations. It can also occur as a result of a history of mining excavations beneath or around your home, so it is always worth checking for these before making a purchase.

Subsidence is the downward movement of the ground beneath a building which is not caused by the weight of the building itself. Most Buildings insurance policies include coverage against subsidence, however, cover limits vary between insurance providers and most are subject to a mandatory excess.

Subsidence is caused by ground movements which impact the building foundations, often resulting in cracks in the walls and ceilings. A subsidence claim is when you have experienced this type of damage to your property and have made a claim through your insurance provider for repairs.Your insurance provider needs to know that your property is unoccupied for 30 consecutive days or more so that they can factor these increased risks into your policy terms.

Underpinning means a solid foundation is laid below ground level to support or strengthen a building. This may be necessary due to subsidence, for instance, when the ground under a property moves and impacts its foundations.