Start by checking your policy.

Policy coverage largely depends on the type of property. For homeowners, most standard UK home insurance policies include cover for subsidence, but only under a few circumstances:

• The damage is new and not pre-existing.

• The cause is sudden and not due to poor maintenance.

• It also affects the main structure of the property (external works such as patios or driveways may only be covered if the house itself is damaged).

Homes that have previously reported subsidence will often find themselves paying a higher premium to ensure sufficient coverage is included. If you’re buying a new home, your home survey will highlight if your home is “at risk” of subsidence or not. However, it won’t specify if it does suffer from subsidence, that assessment would come from a structural engineer who is qualified to diagnose the issue.

If your commercial property is showing signs of subsidence, your insurance coverage can vary. Not all commercial policies include subsidence coverage as standard with some offering it as an add-on.

This variance in coverage between residential and commercial makes it essential to review the policy schedule and exclusions. This is especially true if your building is older, in an area with clay-rich soils, or has a history of ground movement.

How to make a subsidence insurance claim

If you suspect subsidence, there are few key steps that need to be done to remedy the damage:

• Contact your insurer immediately: Delays can potentially lead to further movement, more costly repairs, and complications with your claim.

• Arrange a professional survey: Your insurer may send their own specialist, but it can be worth commissioning an independent subsidence survey to confirm the cause and scope of the issue.

• Document everything: Take photographs, note dates when symptoms appeared, and keep records of any communication.

Once you’ve made a claim, your insurer will typically appoint a Loss Adjuster who will manage the process. This could involve monitoring the building, conducting a drainage survey and/or a site investigation. Investigation works typically include a trial pit (exposing the footings or foundations) and a borehole where assessors will take soil and tree root samples to understand the cause of the ground movement.

Subsidence claims typically carry an on-average excess of £1,000 which is worth factoring into your expected costs.

What happens if my insurance doesn’t cover subsidence?

If your policy excludes subsidence or the claim is declined, you will need to arrange and fund remedial works privately. Ground engineering specialists, such as Mainmark, can offer non-invasive and cost-effective solutions that minimise disruption and restore sub-structural integrity.

Addressing the issue promptly is vital as delaying increases the risk of further structural damage, driving the remedial costs up and making insurance more expensive or harder to obtain in future.

The bottom line.

Whether you own a home or a commercial property, subsidence is typically covered by insurance but isn’t always guaranteed to be included in an existing policy.

The fastest route to protecting your property and your finances is to review your policy to ensure its covered. Then, if you spot any signs of subsidence, we recommend first seeking expert advice to understand the extent of the issue. This way, you’re as informed as possible when it comes to the process and options available.

If your policy does include subsidence protection, then Mainmark is perfectly placed to help remedy the damage. Whether its re-levelling, ground improvement, soil stabilisation, or void-filling, Mainmark have solutions which are innovative, minimally intrusive, and efficient.

Our Teretek® re-levelling system, for example, can complete repairs in as little as a day and doesn’t require owners to move out of the property while work is being done.

So, if you’re worried about potential subsidence, contact us today to book an assessment with one of our experts.