Insurance following subsidence

[Sue]

I had subsidence in my front bay about five  years back, which was treated with resin injection. 

My insurance premium predictably rocketed.

My current insurer, Zurich, has withdrawn from offering home insurance via brokers (so now doesn't offer it at all) and the only quote my present broker can find for me is over £1500 a year 😮 with Midas Underwriting. And that also has a considerably higher excess.

I know from previous experience of phoning around that as soon as subsidence is mentioned, nobody wants to know.

Can anybody who has been in a similar situation recommend a broker or insurance company who could help?

I have a week to find an alternative suitable insurer, or else I will have to grit my teeth and pay up.

Admin, I have put this here as I know subsidence is common in this area, but if it should be in another part of the forum, please move it!

[Renata Hamvas]

I used this company as we had issues to find reasonably priced insurance following a flood. Deeside Insurance Telephone: 01244 831434

[Angelina]

Google insurance with subsidence and a number of options come up

[alice]

Finchinsurance - These brokers found a policy almost half the price of the previous one - worth a try. 
 

[Sue]

Thanks all! 

[Bumpkin]

NFU (yes, national farmers union!) were the only insurer I could find who would cover us for subsidence for our house (Victorian conversion). 

[Lynne]

Aviva.  They wanted a survey first but then they cut our bill by two thirds

[Bettyrach]

Potential brokers to talk to - Howden (previously A Plan, I think) or Gallagher UK. I've used both. Really liked Howden and have since used for travel insurance. They also have branches (think there is one in Bromley) if you find it easier

Edited May 18, 2024 by Bettyrach

[the_hermit]

I used to live in a house with subsidence and found Aviva v helpful when I rang them.  They asked lots of questions but I was able to get a competitive quote.

Non sequitur but David Howden (of Howdens!) has a v nice bar in the City called Dave's which serves the produce of his country estate!

[Sue]

Thanks again all. I only have less than a week to find alternative cover, so I doubt there would be time to arrange a survey 😢

[George Orwell]

I used Adrian Flux Brokers - I got a decent quote (Watford Insurance Co.) and they didn't want a survey - just a declaration of no cracks etc.

[the_hermit]

When was that George?  I came across Watford once via a broker (car or maybe my cat I think) but didn't know they did home.

[George Orwell]

We’ve had our home insured with them for maybe 5 years now - always through a broker. Initially via Wesleyan (Finance ?) Insurance Brokers and currently via Adrian Flux. Renewal time is approaching so I’ll be giving all the brokers listed in this thread a chance.

[Sue]

I got a relatively good deal (well, compared to the quote from my current broker!)  through Orwell Insurance, who also didn't require a survey.

£655 pa including subsidence cover. The excess is quite high but there's a ten year guarantee on the work on my front bay, so fingers crossed I won't have to claim.

There has been other ground movement decades ago which sadly they also took into account in setting the excess.

I used an online site called QuoteZone which was very quick and easy and can exclude any companies which won't cover you if you've had previous subsidence.

Good luck to everyone who is in a similar situation!

Each company seems to ask different questions and want different things, so definitely try a few places. I didn't want to spend days phoning round, so given I had already  saved £845 I stopped there, though it's possible I could have got it cheaper.

 

Edited May 23, 2024 by Sue

[x2000traveller]

Good.  Subsidence claims generally have an excess of £1000 per claim, but was yours higher?

[Sue]

2 hours ago, x2000traveller said:

Good.  Subsidence claims generally have an excess of £1000 per claim, but was yours higher?

It was £1k for the claim for the subsidence in my front bay.

This new policy would have had an excess of £2k, but unfortunately in looking through a load of old paperwork  I came across old claims for ground movement in 1992 and around 1998 ( I think), one  at the back of the house and one when a rod was put through the front bay , which I had completely forgotten about and had been completely sorted at the time.

In the interests of full disclosure, once I had found them I had to tell the insurance company, who then hiked the  excess up to £5k, even though it was so long ago.

The brokers said they would try to get that reduced  next year.

 🙄

Edited June 5, 2024 by Sue