Home insurance after subsidence

[Sue]

My buildings and contents insurance are coming up for renewal at the end of May.

Since my front bay was rebuilt after subsidence, my premiums have rocketed, and the company (Zurich) were so appalling in just about every respect when dealing with the claim that I really don't want to stay with them.

However I know I am going to have trouble getting anybody else to insure me, because of the previous subsidence.

Somebody from Direct Line is phoning me tomorrow (they know about the subsidence), I presume to give me a quote (my car insurance is presently with them).

Does anybody have any experience of getting quotes after subsidence repairs? Should I go to a broker? Online and on the phone, in the past as soon as subsidence is mentioned companies don't want to know.

Also, my buildings and contents insurance are presently combined, and I'm wondering whether it would now be cheaper to look at separate quotes.

I don't want to jump out of the frying pan into the fire and end up with a company that is worse, though I sincerely hope I never have to make another claim.

[KidKruger]

In my experience Sue, whether property claims, motor claims, or other areas of insurance post-claim, the numbers always seem to be pretty similar wherever you go.

I think they share information and have an agreed margin/pricing formulae.

That?s my experience anyway - you can hunt around but they?ve got your number, as it were.

[mac4]

I've spent years answering the question "Has the property ever suffered from subsidence" (Yes, 30 years ago) and have stayed with one insurer for a very long time for the reasons you state. However I've recently changed to John Lewis (as recommended in Which magazine) who act as representatives of Munich Re and saved a considerable amount of money on combined cover and they also accepted the past subsidence.

I would expect your excess to increase with any insurer. Also. in the past, I've had to produce detailed technical statements and survey reports of the subsidence remedial works etc so I would suggest you keep as much documentation as you can get about the surveys and works you had done.

Also I've found you generally get a better rate on combined buildings/contents cover rather that insuring separately.

[Bob Buzzard]

I hope you get it sorted ✅

[Guest]

It took nearly 15 years before I was able to change insurers, OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drxyster]

Our property suffered from subsidence. Arranged a structural survey report, which made a considerable saving on the premium.

I insured via a broker called Adrian Flux, who gave me the best quote for buildings insurance. Suggest you contact them

Good luck.

[Sue]

Thanks all!

[Lynne]

We changed to Aviva. They wanted a survey, but since they then charged only about a third of what our original insurers wanted (and they included free contents insurance) we felt it was worth it

[Sue]

Lynne Wrote:

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

> We changed to Aviva. They wanted a survey, but

> since they then charged only about a third of what

> our original insurers wanted (and they included

> free contents insurance) we felt it was worth it

How much did the survey cost?

[Lynne]

It was a few years ago, but I think about ?250.00

[Sue]

OK thanks

[Lynne]

When we rang the original insurer to say we were cancelling, they said "Oh, that does seem a bit high. we could have lowered it if you'd asked"!!

There were several answers to this, I felt, but couldn't be bothered.

[Sue]

😂