Home insurance quotes with subsidence history increase by 637%

Home insurance quotes with subsidence history increase by 637%, as the experts say this is likely linked to climate change.

Headlines:
  • Quotes showing a subsidence history rose by 27.8% per year over last 10 years
  • Experts warn an increase in subsidence can be linked to climate change
  • This year’s dry spring and summer may cause a subsidence surge

Home insurance quotes with a history of subsidence claims have risen by a staggering 637% over the last 10 years, GoCompare Home Insurance has revealed. Between 2012 and 2021, there was an average annual increase of 27.8% for such quotes.

The largest rise has been in the last five years, according to the insurance comparison site. Since 2017, there has been a 51% increase in the number of quotes with previous subsidence claims, compared to the five years prior.

Subsidence is when the ground beneath a building begins to contract and sink. This can cause a house’s foundations to shift, leading to damaged floors, walls and overall structural integrity. Homes with a history of subsidence can be more expensive to insure, at an average of £309 a year.

Chris Carlton from Geobear, a specialist ground engineering company, says that it’s “impossible” not to link the increase in subsidence issues to climate change.

Chris Carlton added:

“In the past, dryer summers have caused what is known as a surge event in insurance circles.

“This is where the exceptionally dry, hot summers cause tree roots to migrate deeper to seek water, this sucks greater moisture out of deeper clay soils and causes more subsidence to happen.”

In fact, he adds further that we’re likely to see a subsidence surge this summer due to the continuing heatwaves:

“In the past thirty years, these surge events had happened every eight years or so until 2018. The barren summer of 2018 dried the UK soils in the southeast causing a surge. Now in 2022, the dry spring and summer is causing the potential for another subsidence surge.”

How to spot subsidence:

House-hunters are advised to ask if their potential property has suffered from subsidence in the past and whether it has been repaired. It’s also suggested that they check for any potential signs of distress.

These include:

    • Large cracks
    • Doors and windows not closing or opening
    • Sloping floors
    • Wallpaper wrinkling along wall and ceiling joints
    • Cracks around a home extension

If there are no cosmetic concerns visible, house-hunters are encouraged to check their homebuyers or RICS Building Survey for any structural issues.

What can be done about subsidence?

To try and prevent subsidence, residents should keep on top of any vegetation. It’s recommended that no new trees or shrubs are planted too close to the property, and anyone worried that nearby plants might cause a problem should seek out professional advice before acting.

Additionally, all drains, pipes and gutters, particularly those under the property, should be maintained. Plumbing leaks can wash away important soils and weaken the ground, which can be another cause of subsidence. Those who suspect that water has escaped should contact their insurer, who can put them in touch with a CCTV drainage surveyor.

If subsidence is suspected, get an expert opinion. Small issues shouldn’t be left unchecked, as they might be a sign of a deeper problem and should be dealt with as soon as possible. That way, it may still be possible to resolve the issue.

Ceri McMillan, home insurance expert at GoCompare, says:

“Our newest research shows that the growing frequency of extreme weather conditions is likely leading to an increase in subsidence issues. Experts say that this is likely to continue this summer, so it’s important that you monitor your home for any new cracks or structural issues.

“Try to maintain your home’s drains and keep on top of any vegetation that’s close to the property, as these can both cause subsidence if not properly managed. You should also look to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle where possible, as this will help address the ongoing climate crisis, and reduce the number of subsidence cases in the long term.

“If you think your home has a subsidence issue, reach out to your insurer, as they will put you in touch with the appropriate contacts.”

 

More information on subsidence, including how it can be prevented, can be found on GoCompare’s website.

 

Kindly shared by GoCompare

Main article photo courtesy of Pixabay