I’m an insurance expert – how the summer heatwave can cost homeowners £1,000s now and warning signs to look out for

THIS year’s long hot summer is wreaking havoc for homeowners with a near 400% spike in subsidence cases since July. 

Insurers are seeing near-record numbers of claims after the unusually warm, dry year. 

Subsidence is when the ground beneath a building sinks, pulling the home’s foundations down with it.

It can leave homeowners with hefty bills and higher insurance premiums.

Across the market, there has been nearly a 400% increase in the number of claims compared to a normal year.

Experts say this year’s surge is on a similar trajectory to 2018’s record-breaking year for subsidence claims.

The uptick in 2018 also came after a prolonged, dry summer. 

The Sun spoke to Admiral Home Insurance’s supply chain manager, William Quibell, to find out what homeowners need to be aware of when it comes to subsidence.

It comes after a heatwave in 2018 left thousands of homes at risk of sinking into the ground, with individual bills topping £50,000.

What are the main signs of subsidence?

The main sign of subsidence is cracks, particularly around doors and windows as they are weak points in a building’s structure.

If the crack is mirrored internally and externally and tapered – so it’s wider at the top through the brickwork and not as wide at the bottom – this could be cause for concern.

What should I do if I notice a crack in my house?

There’s no need to panic, William urged.

In some cases, cracks won’t be a result of subsidence as there are many reasons why cracks might form.

If you are concerned, William advised reporting the crack to your insurers as early as possible.

If you have subsidence cover, they can then send someone round to take a look and get a diagnosis.

If there is subsidence, they can then start a claim to get this fixed.

If they find there is no subsidence, your insurance should not be impacted, unless the crack has been caused by another structural issue.

What happens if there is subsidence?

This will vary on a case-by-case basis, and it depends on the cause of the subsidence.

If your insurer provides subsidence cover they would look to mitigate the cause. 

There are usually two causes of subsidence, a leaking drain which could wash away the finer parts of subsoil, or tree roots taking moisture from the clay underneath a building.

William said the second cause is what we are seeing a lot of this summer, as the dry weather means trees are taking more moisture from the ground.

Once your insurer has established the cause, they will try to repair the subsidence – for example by removing a nearby tree.

In the vast majority of cases this is a simple process, but in a small percentage of more extreme cases you may need to consider more disruptive measures such as underpinning the property. 

What impact does claiming for subsidence have on my insurance?

Most insurers will continue to insure a property once it has been repaired, and this work will be done through the insurance company in most cases where the homeowner has subsidence cover. 

In some cases, the insurer might agree to a cash settlement rather than repairing the damage themselves.

Some insurers might apply conditions, such as removing cover until the work has been completed.

Subsidence claims can impact your insurance premiums, but there are a number of factors that influence them and this would vary from insurer to insurer.

After you’ve made a subsidence claim on your property it can be difficult to obtain new cover, so most customers will need to remain with their current insurer after making a claim.

What properties are most at risk of subsidence?

Properties with shallow foundations would be more prone, as tree roots would struggle to find that moisture at lower depths.

Properties on clay with nearby trees are also more at risk.

Lightweight structures, like porches, garages and conservatories, are really susceptible to subsidence and form a large portion of the claims Admiral has seen. 

Advice for homebuyers

If you’re concerned, William recommended getting a full structural survey done before you buy.

You could also get a structural engineer to take a look if you’re worried.

If a property has ongoing subsidence, it’s feasible it could be difficult to market or sell. 

In some cases, where the damage is severe, the property could be uninsurable, which would impact your ability to get a mortgage.

Callum Tanner, manager of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers, added: “An increase in subsidence claims is not surprising.

“Insurers understand that this is a stressful time for affected homeowners and are providing widespread support to help with repairs.

“Don’t panic if you spot a crack in your home – there are many reasons why these may have occurred.

“Contact your insurer if you think your home is experiencing subsidence and they’ll be on hand with the best expertise and technology to help you.”

Another home insurance expert has shared advice for Brits who are in a row with neighbours to avoid a costly mistake.

And earlier this year, millions were hit by a car and home insurance bill rise.