Insurance News Archive
Landlords warned of property subsidence 'threat'
Property owners should make sure they are covered against the possibility of major damage from subsidence, according to Halifax Home Insurance.
The insurer advised that homeowners should pay close attention to the growth of trees and other vegetation around their property in order to get early indications of the possibilities of subsidence, but the advice is just as valid for landlords.
"People do plant trees too close to houses and they bring about the majority of subsidence insurance claims that we face," said Neil Curling, senior manager of structural claims for the Halifax.
In addition, policy holders should check to see that their insurance deal covers "major structural damage" from subsidence, even if it increases their premiums, Mr Curling said, before adding: "Don't forget that there will usually be a £1,000 policy excess to pay on subsidence, plus the inconvenience of the damage done to a house."
Other indicators of subsidence can be cracks in plasterwork or brickwork, especially if they are over three millimetres wide, doors or windows sticking for no reason and bulges in wallpaper that is not related to damp.
27 Mar 2007
