Subsidence and content insurance in East Dulwich

[*Bob*]

Does anyone know: is 'underpinning' a specific area of insurance trouble - by which I mean, not comparable to, say, having had a subsidence claim but it only resulting in (relatively) minor repairs?

Are are you ripe for the picking if there's any mention of subsidence whatsoever?

[Jeremy]

I think underpinning is particularly problematic, as it indicates that the movement has been significant.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has managed to get insurance on a previously underpinned house, and an indication of how extortionate the premium tends to be.

[Mrs TP]

We has a subsidence claim 10yrs ago. Only superficial repair work needed and no underpinning. Now we have contents insurance which does not cover subsidence damage. Policy with Zurich. I have never tried to change the buildings insurance (NatWest) and am sure we pay an extortionate amount because of the subsidence and two other claims we have made (burst pipe and legal claim).

[Tanday]

We purchased a house in the area last year which was underpinned. Eventually managed to get insurance through http://www.hardtoinsure.co.uk/. The annual fee isnt too bad, probably 250-300 more than normal house insurance and covers against any new subsidence, but not the old underpinning work.

[nunhead_man]

We have a good broker who may be able to help - he has alawys helped us

Maxted Morrison & Co. Ltd.

17 Hatherley Road DA14 4BP

Talk to John Maxted a good sorted out guy

[Jeremy]

Thanks all - very useful. Tanday, that sort of policy sounds fine, especially if the underpinning is guaranteed.

[benmorg]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think underpinning is particularly problematic,

> as it indicates that the movement has been

> significant.

One of the reasons premiums can remain high is that underpinning isn't necessarily a cure for subsidence. If subsidence is caused by landslip rather than heave, for example, underpinning won't make any difference. Landslip subsidence is a problems on the land under Dawson's heights and led to the demolition of much of Dunstan's Road. Some details here:

http://www.dulwichsociety.com/newsletters/43-spring-2006/213-dawsons-hill-before-daswons-heights

It's one of the reasons that buildings insurance premiums for SE22 are far higher than the national average.

[Lynne]

having been underpinned then massively overcharged for years by our insurance company because no-one else would touch us, I discovered that things have changed and lots of companies will. I'm now with Aviva - they insisted on a surveyors report, which cost about ?400 but we then saved over ?1000 on this year alone- and they threw in free contents cover too

Lynne