Insurance refusal nightmare

hew22

Has anyone been refused house insurance on the basis of the area being prone to subsidence.  We back onto the parkland walk and are having problems.  Everyone we have approached has refused to insure us (3 converted flats in terraced house). Our current insurer has offered to re-insure by doubling the premium, having a 5000 excess and having to cover 25% of any claim.  Outrageous, I know, but hoping there might be someone out there who has been in a similar position and has resolved it.  The latest owners of one of the flats had to send their survey to the insurance company and as it states movement (which I think any house built in 1870 would have) they were at first unwilling to re-insure, and now these outrageous term.<div><br></div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>

boxrunner

We had exactly that problem when we moved here in 2009.  I was put onto Marks & Spencers Home Insurance who were happy to take us and didn't charge extortionate rates as I recall.  I've not shopped around since then (we just renew with them each year).<br><br>Hope it helps.<br>

hew22

Our problem is that everyone we have gone to refuses to insure us.<div>One of the questions they ask is" have you been refused insurance" and we would have to say yes.</div><div>You were lucky, I will mention M&S  to the others</div>

Sutent

Try these guys. They were very good for us. <div><br></div><div><p style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Property Insurance Centre</b></p><p style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Offices at:</b> 10-15th Floor, 88 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7RS & 4 Donaghadee Road, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 7ET</p><p style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Tel: 0208 6513131 </b></p></div>

hew22

Thanks for the suggestion.  Did you have problems with insurance that this company overcame?<div>We have had 4 refusals - as soon as you mention you have been refused - they also refuse. Its a catch 22 situation.</div>

marko

These insurers are absolutely right:  Pretty much all victorian houses are susceptible to subsidence: They were built with inadequate foundations, on clay, and with lime mortar - which is flexible, so won't crack, but will creep over time.<div><br></div><div>There are plenty of specialist insurance brokers who write this kind of business.   Getting a structural engineer's report may be a great idea: You convert your insurance risk from 'might suffer from subsidence' to 'definitely not suffering from subsidence'.   I paid about £300 for a report about 8 years ago, and insurers have been happy since. </div>

hew22

Thanks for that.  We are getting a structural engineer in on Tuesday so lets hope they are more positive.