Does Buildings Insurance Cover Cracked Walls?

Building insurance is what covers cracked walls, not contents insurance, which only protects your belongings. But having a policy doesn’t automatically mean your claim will be paid. What caused the crack matters just as much as whether you’re covered at all. Here’s how to work out where you stand.

What causes cracked walls?

The most common causes of wall cracking include:

• Subsidence: When the ground beneath your home shifts, it can cause the structure to move and walls to crack. Clay shrinkage is one of the most common causes of subsidence in the UK. 
• Heave: Also known as swelling, heave is the opposite of subsidence, the upward movement of the ground beneath a building as a result of the soil expanding. The most common cause of heave is when the soil beneath the house becomes saturated with water that has no way to escape
• Landslip: The downward or sideways movement of ground on a slope, which can lead to instability. It can happen after heavy rainfall, particularly on sloped or unstable ground.
• Settlement in new-builds: New homes and recently built extensions often experience cracking as the structures settle under their own weight. Fine cracks are also common in freshly plastered walls as they dry out. 
• General wear and tear: Older properties develop cracks as part of natural ageing. Insurance companies treat this as the homeowner’s responsibility, not an insured event.
• Water damage: A leaking pipe or leaking roof can weaken walls over time and lead to cracking.
• Poor workmanship: Shoddy construction or a botched repair job can leave walls vulnerable.

Here’s a quick guide to help you tell a cosmetic crack from a structural one:

Type of crack	Likely cause	Worth worrying about?
Hairline cracks (under 1mm)	Settlement or drying out	Rarely
Cracks wider than 5mm	Subsidence or structural movement	Yes, get it checked
Diagonal cracks near doors or windows	Subsidence	Yes
Horizontal cracks in brick walls	Soil pressure or structural failure	Yes, act quickly
Cracks with damp or discolouration	Water ingress	Yes

When does building insurance cover cracked walls?

Building insurance is designed to protect the structure of your home, including walls, floors, ceilings, and foundations. If a crack appears as a result of a sudden, unexpected event, your home insurance policy will likely cover the cost of repairs.

What’s typically covered:

• Subsidence: Most building insurance policies include subsidence insurance, though it often comes with a higher excess than standard claims. A structural engineer’s report may be required when you see signs of subsidence
• Storm and severe weather damage: If severe weather causes structural movement or damage that leads to cracking, you’re likely covered
• Escape of water: A burst pipe that weakens a wall and causes it to crack would generally be treated as an insured event
• Fire and explosion: Structural damage to walls caused by fire is typically covered as standard
• Accidental damage (add-on only): Not included in most standard policies, but worth adding if you want broader protection

One thing to check: your insurer may only pay for partial repairs, or they may cover the full cost of repairs once you’ve paid your excess. Always check your policy documents before assuming you know what’s included.

When building insurance does not cover cracked walls

One of the biggest reasons claims get denied is when damage is caused by wear and tear or a lack of maintenance. But it’s not the only one. Here are the most common exclusions to know about:

• General wear and tear: Walls crack over time. That’s not what insurance is for.
• Poor maintenance or neglect: If it could have been spotted and sorted, it’s on you.
• Pre-existing damage: You must declare whether your property has been affected by subsidence or cracking in the past. Not doing so could result in your insurer rejecting a claim.
• Natural settlement cracks in new homes: Some movement is expected in newer properties and won’t be covered.

What happens for other damage caused by my cracked walls?

Buildings insurance covers the structure, but it won’t pay out for your belongings. That’s where contents insurance comes in.

If a structural crack lets in damp that ruins your sofa, wardrobe, or electronics, your contents insurance may cover the cost, provided the cause was an unforeseen event. It won’t touch the building itself, but it’s a smart pairing with buildings insurance, especially if water damage is a risk.

A quick way to think about it:

What’s damaged	Which policy covers it
Walls, floors, ceilings, foundations	Buildings insurance
Furniture, electronics, valuables	Contents insurance
Both	Combined buildings and contents

If you only have buildings insurance, water-damaged belongings won’t be covered. A combined policy or holding both separately, makes sure nothing falls through the gap.

How to spot when a crack is serious

Minor cosmetic cracks are common in most homes and rarely a cause for concern. But some cracks are a warning sign that something more serious is going on.

Get a professional assessment if you notice:

• Cracks wider than 5mm, roughly the width of a pencil
• Diagonal cracks near doors, windows, or corners
• Cracks that appear to grow or change over time
• Horizontal cracks in exterior brickwork
• Damp patches, discolouration, or mould alongside a crack

If any of these apply, contact a structural engineer or surveyor before calling your insurer. A professional report will support your claim and give your insurer the evidence they need to assess it properly.

Is insurance for cracked walls worth it?

Here’s a sense of what structural wall repairs can actually cost, and what the right cover could save you:

Type of repair	Typical cost	Approximate excess	Potential saving
Minor crack repair (cosmetic)	£100 to £500	Not claimable	N/A
Crack repair from water damage	£500 to £3,000	£100 to £250	Up to £2,750
Subsidence repair (minor)	£3,000 to £8,000	£1,000 to £2,500	Up to £7,000
Subsidence repair (major)	£8,000 to £30,000+	£1,000 to £2,500	Up to £28,500
Full underpinning	£10,000 to £50,000+	£1,000 to £2,500	Up to £48,500

To put it in real terms: 

Say subsidence causes a serious crack in your external wall, and a structural engineer confirms your foundations need underpinning. That could cost anywhere from £10,000 to £50,000. With the right building cover in place, you’d pay your excess and your insurer handles the rest. Without it, that bill lands entirely with you.

Always weigh the cost of repairs against your excess and the likely impact on your premium before making a claim on smaller jobs.

What if you rent?

If you’re a tenant, cracked walls are your landlord’s responsibility. It’s their job to maintain the structure of the property and take out building insurance. You won’t need to make a claim yourself, but you should report the damage to your landlord in writing as soon as you spot it.

As a tenant, contents insurance is what you need. It covers your furniture, electronics, and valuables, and can also protect your belongings if water ingress from a cracked wall causes damage.

If you own a flat, check your lease. In most cases, the freeholder is responsible for the structure of the building, including shared or external walls. If you’ve made improvements yourself, like internal structural changes, speak to a broker about whether your own policy needs updating.

Your situation	Who handles cracked wall repairs?	What do you need?
Homeowner	You	Building insurance
Tenant (renting)	Landlord	Contents insurance only
Leaseholder (flat)	Usually the freeholder	Check your lease
Freeholder (flat)	You	Building insurance

How to protect your home and keep your claim valid

Stay on top of home maintenance. It’s not just good housekeeping, it can be the difference between a successful claim and a rejected one.

• Inspect your walls, inside and out, regularly. Catch issues early and deal with them before they become serious
• Where clay soils are present, manage trees close to your house, garage, or outbuildings.
• Keep gutters clear and repair any leaking drains promptly, even small leaks can gradually wash away soil supporting your foundations
• Keep records of any maintenance work, including dates and receipts. This helps demonstrate your home was in good condition before any damage occurred
• Report cracks to your insurer as soon as you notice them. Delaying can give your insurance provider grounds to reject your claim
• Set aside a small rainy day fund for minor repairs that fall below your excess, so small issues never become costly ones
• Never attempt structural repairs yourself.  Get professional advice and always use a qualified tradesperson and keep all receipts

If damage does happen, act fast:

• Contact your insurer and document the damage with photos before any work begins
• Get a written assessment from a structural engineer or surveyor. This will support your claim and give your insurer the evidence they need
• Get at least two or three quotes from reputable contractors before agreeing to any work. Checkatrade is a good place to find vetted tradespeople
• Don’t carry out any structural repairs until your insurer has approved them, unless it’s an emergency

Bottom line

Cracked walls can be stressful, but the right home insurance cover makes a real difference. Building insurance is your main protection for structural issues and damage, covering sudden insured events like subsidence, burst pipes, and storm damage. Contents insurance won’t cover the walls, but it will protect your belongings if water gets in. What neither will cover is general wear and tear, neglect, or damage you knew about before taking out your policy.

Keep on top of maintenance, document everything, and read your policy documents carefully. If you’re looking for straightforward home insurance that covers what matters, Lemonade’s home insurance is worth a look. Clear cover, no faff.

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