What is Subsidence Insurance?
How to spot the signs and avoid the pitfalls.
Subsidence insurance is typically included in your buildings insurance policy, covering the cost of repairs when your home’s foundations sink or shift downward. Most standard home insurance policies automatically include subsidence cover, but there are important exclusions and conditions you need to know about.
Understanding what your insurance covers, and what it doesn’t, could save you thousands if subsidence strikes your property.
TL;DR
- Most home insurance policies cover subsidence, though you’ll often be faced with a higher excess, and won’t be covered for things like poor maintenance or pre-existing damage from previous owners
- Keep an eye out for new cracks wider than a pound coin, doors that won’t close properly, or uneven floors, and document everything with photos
- Subsidence claims can take anywhere between 6 and 18 months to settle, as insurers will need to monitor ongoing ground movement
- Prevent problems by cleaning out gutters and drains, managing trees responsibly, and addressing structural issues promptly
What is subsidence?
Subsidence happens when the ground beneath your home moves downward, causing your building’s foundations to sink or shift. This creates structural damage that can range from minor cosmetic cracks to serious issues requiring major repairs or even underpinning.
It’s different from heave (where ground swells upward) or landslip (where ground moves sideways down a slope). Each type of ground movement can affect your home differently, and your insurance cover will vary accordingly.
The most common causes of subsidence in the UK include:
- Clay soil shrinking during dry weather
- Tree roots absorbing moisture from soil
- Leaking drains washing away supporting soil
- Mining activity or natural underground erosion
Does home insurance cover subsidence?
Yes, most home insurance policies include subsidence cover as standard under building insurance. If subsidence damages your home, your policy should cover the costs of repairs and any alternative accommodation you need whilst work is completed.
Lemonade’s home insurance covers subsidence claims by default, with an excess of £950.
However, like other insurers, we’ll need evidence that the subsidence is recent and ongoing, not historical damage that’s already stabilised. Our buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, while contents insurance protects your personal belongings stored inside.
When is subsidence not covered by home insurance?
Home insurance policies may include several exclusions that could leave you without cover:
- Newly built homes: Many insurers exclude subsidence cover for the first 10 years after construction, as new homes need time to settle naturally
- Pre-existing damage: If your home has a history of subsidence that wasn’t properly repaired, new claims might be rejected
- Poor maintenance: Damage caused by your failure to maintain gutters, drains, or address obvious structural problems won’t be covered
- Certain structures: Some policies exclude garden walls, patios, driveways, and outbuildings from subsidence cover, check your policy documents carefully
- Coastal erosion: Movement caused by coastal erosion or river bank changes is typically excluded from standard policies
What causes subsidence in the UK?
Understanding the causes of subsidence helps you spot potential risks around your property. Clay soil is particularly problematic because it shrinks dramatically during dry weather and expands when wet again.
Tree roots can also increase the risk of subsidence by drawing in moisture from clay soil (causing shrinkage), and their roots can physically disturb foundations. Large trees planted too close to homes are also a common cause of subsidence issues.
Underground problems, like leaking drains, gradually wash away soil that supports your foundations. Old cast iron pipes are particularly prone to cracking, creating slow leaks that homeowners don’t notice until damage appears.
Other factors include:
- Historical mining activity
- Natural underground water changes
- Heavy construction work nearby
- Extreme weather patterns
How to spot signs of subsidence
Catching subsidence early can prevent serious structural damage and make your insurance claim much smoother. Look out for these warning signs:
- Cracks in walls: New cracks wider than a £1 coin, especially diagonal ones around windows and doors, as this could indicate structural movement
- Jamming doors and windows: If previously well-fitting doors and windows suddenly jam or no longer close properly, your building frame might be shifting
- Uneven floors: Floors that feel bouncy, sloped, or have gaps appearing along skirting boards need investigation
- External signs: Check for steps pulling away from the main building or rippling in wallpaper without obvious cause
Don’t panic if you do notice any of these signs, as they may very well have innocent explanations. However, just make sure to document everything with photos, dates, etc. as this evidence will be crucial if you ever need to file a claim.
How to prevent subsidence
Whilst you can’t eliminate subsidence risk entirely, simple maintenance can significantly reduce your chances of problems:
- Manage trees responsibly: Don’t plant large trees within 20 metres of your home. If you have mature trees close to the building, consult a tree surgeon about appropriate management rather than removing them entirely. Sudden removal can cause clay soil to swell and create heave
- Maintain drainage: Keep gutters clear and repair any leaking drains promptly. Even small leaks can gradually wash away soil supporting your foundations
- Monitor soil moisture: In dry weather, consider watering the ground around your home’s foundations to prevent clay soil from shrinking excessively
- Address structural issues early: Fix cracks in walls, ensure proper ventilation, and address any signs of water damage before they worsen
- Professional maintenance: Have your drains professionally inspected every few years, especially if your home is older or built on clay soil
What to do if you suspect subsidence
If you suspect that subsidence is damaging your home, be sure to act quickly. Making a subsidence claim with Lemonade starts in the app. Just report the damage with photos and a quick description, and our AI reviews everything instantly and gets your claim to the right specialist team.
Don’t start any repairs yourself, even minor cosmetic fixes. We need to see the damage in its original state to properly assess your subsidence claim. Taking photos through the Lemonade app makes it easy to document everything and track your claim’s progress.
We know subsidence claims take time (usually 6-18 months), so we keep you updated every step of the way. No waiting weeks for phone calls back or wondering what’s happening, you can check your claim status anytime in the app.
The investigation process typically includes:
- Monitoring any cracks for several months to check if movement continues
- Soil analysis to understand ground conditions
- Surveying nearby trees and drainage systems
- Checking historical records for previous subsidence issues
We work with specialist contractors who understand subsidence repairs, including underpinning foundations when needed.
Before we go…Â
Subsidence insurance provides essential protection for one of the most expensive problems a homeowner can face. While most standard home insurance policies include this cover, understanding the exclusions and claims process helps you navigate potential issues more effectively.
Remember that prevention is always better than the cure. Simple maintenance of drainage, careful tree management, and prompt attention to structural issues can save you considerable stress and expense.
Ready to protect your home with insurance that makes sense? Get a Lemonade home insurance quote in minutes.
Frequently asked questions about subsidence insurance
Will subsidence affect my home's value?
A history of subsidence can affect property values and make your home harder to sell. However, properly repaired subsidence with appropriate warranties shouldn’t significantly impact value long-term.
Can I get insurance if my home has previous subsidence?
Yes, but you’ll likely need specialist insurance rather than standard policies. Insurance brokers can help find providers who cover properties with subsidence history, though premiums will be higher.
What's the difference between subsidence, heave and landslip?
Subsidence is downward ground movement, heave is upward swelling of ground (often clay soil), and landslip is sideways movement down a slope. Lemonade’s home insurance covers all three types of ground movement.
Do new homes need subsidence insurance?
New homes often have limited or no subsidence cover for the first 10 years, as insurers expect natural settling. Lemonade excludes subsidence cover for newly built properties during this period.
Are outbuildings covered for subsidence?
This depends on your specific policy. Some policies may only cover outbuildings if the main property is also damaged by the same event. Check your policy documents in the app to see exactly what’s included.
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