Insurance News Archive

Dry summer causing property subsidence increase

An increased number of properties in the UK are set to experience subsidence as a result of one of the warmest and driest summers on record.

According to American Express Insurance Services, subsidence can be an expensive problem to rectify.

While it estimates that the average claim costs £6,000 for a homeowner to rectify, some can cost as much as £30,000 to deal with.

Joanne Field, marketing manager with the group, said: "If a homeowner suspects their property may have subsidence, the worst thing they can possibly do is put off contacting their insurer.

"Our advice is to get in touch as soon as possible as early detection can minimise the extent of repair work required. Underpinning is a last resort and only necessary in less than a third of subsidence cases," she added.

Ways in which homeowners can spot subsidence include identifying new or expanding cracks in plasterwork or outside brickwork, seeing doors or windows sticking and finding rippling wallpaper not caused by damp.

16 Oct 2006