Home insurance company offers subsidence advice

A home insurance provider has offered tips to prospective homebuyers looking to reduce the risk of being affected by subsidence.

According to figures from the Association of British Insurers, cited by Halifax Home Insurance, the number of subsidence home insurance claims registered has increased by approximately a half since 2002.

Consequently, it has advised people looking for a property to conduct basic checks such as surveying the drainage provision of each house visited to see if rainwater can easily flow away from foundations.

Moreover, the home insurance company has urged homebuyers to look out for large trees growing near houses, since their roots could potentially soak up water from the ground and cause foundations to move.

People don't knowingly cause subsidence but there are ways homeowners can help to reduce the risk, remarked Neil Curling, senior structural claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance.

Subsidence can cause serious structural damage and can even completely destroy a property.

In related home insurance news, last month saw one insurance provider issue advice to homeowners in the event that their property is affected by flooding.

Among the tips given out, Lloyds TSB Insurance urged flood victims to leave gas and electricity supplies turned off until the safety of the property has been checked out by professionals.