This week’s question is: What are the precautions my clients can take against subsidence?
Good question, especially in light of the fact that many within the insurance industry are predicting that 2015 could be the first subsidence surge year in 11 years.
Subsidence is generally defined by insurers as: ‘the downward movement of ground beneath a building other than by settlement’. Research into the common denominators, across all previous surge periods, has largely attributed a rise in subsidence claims to extended periods of exceptionally hot dry weather. Having experienced one of the hottest July’s on record (and even with the wet August – much of which will have run off hard dry ground without reaching the subsoil) it is no wonder insurers are on alert.
While insurers are bracing themselves for a costly rise in claims, there is plenty your clients can do to protect themselves. As their adviser you are well placed to improve understanding of the causes and help them prevent a claim that could have long term consequences. There are two prime causes: trees and drains, downpipes and guttering.
- Trees
Trees take enormous amounts of water from the subsoil. In long dry spells this can cause the ground around and below foundations to contract; the longer this goes on the higher the likelihood of movement and cracking.
Keep trees that are close to the home cut back. A good rule of thumb is that trees should be no closer to the property than their height.
Tree types differ widely; some take much more water than others, and some have more aggressive roots. High risk trees include Oak, Poplar, Lime, Ash, Willow, Elm, Hawthorn, Chestnut, Beech and Maple. For these varieties it is best that they are no less than 10 metres from the house and kept below 6.6 metres in height.
- Drains, downpipes and guttering
Damaged drains, downpipes and guttering can cause a leakage of water into the ground. This can cause subsoil to be washed away, creating a void under foundations which in turn creates movement.
Keep an eye on downpipes and keep them cleaned to prevent overflow. Drains are more difficult and damage is often not visible. It can be prudent to get a specialist drain company to inspect drains on a regular basis (perhaps every three to five years) as a preventative measure.
Prevention is far better than cure. Subsidence is not easily rectified; damage can be extensive and take years to put right, especially if the property has to be underpinned. It can therefore have a significant impact on home and building cover.
Most insurers will not take on a new client whose property has suffered subsidence on a standard policy. This makes it difficult to shop around for a competitive premium and make the property harder to sell.
The biggest precautions your clients need to take are to be well informed and well prepared. Help your customers stay ahead by arming them with the information they need and no doubt they will reward you for it in the long term.
