Home insurers paid out £72million for domestic subsidence claims between April and June this year, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The average subsidence claim reached a record £20,000 in the period, which was the warmest spring on record in England and Wales.
That figure was £2,000 higher than at the same point a year ago and nearly twice as expensive as the cost of fixing other common property problems, the ABI said. Weather damage to homes is usually associated with winter months, when properties are prone to frozen pipes, leaks and flooding, but prolonged spells of hot temperatures can also cause tens of thousands of pounds of damage by increasing the risk of ground movement.
Clive Holland, a broadcaster at Fix Radio, told This is Money that heatwaves can raise the risk of subsidence, particularly in homes built on clay soil. He said that as the ground becomes very dry, the clay can shrink and move beneath the foundations, and that it is usually a long spell of hot, dry weather that causes concern, rather than one unusually warm day.
Wider weather damage costs rise
The average claim for damage to homes and possessions from flooding, storms and burst pipes reached £8,548 in the second quarter of 2026, the ABI said, up 12 per cent on the same period last year.
Chris Bose, director of general insurance policy at the ABI, said the growing cost of subsidence and weather-related damage was a reminder of why improving the resilience of homes matters. He said that while insurers continue to be there for customers when they need them most, providing financial protection and support, reducing future losses demands a coordinated effort from homeowners, industry and government.
Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a property sinks, causing the building's foundations to move. It is often caused by soil losing moisture and shrinking during prolonged dry weather, and trees and shrubs can also contribute by drawing water from the ground. Subsidence can also be caused by excess moisture, for example if a leaking pipe or drain causes the soil underneath a house to soften or wash away.
Bose said simple steps can make a real difference. He said that for new homes, building deep foundations can reduce the risk of subsidence, while for older properties, maintaining nearby trees and drains and fixing leaking pipes can prevent problems from developing.
Warning signs to watch for
Subsidence-related cracks often appear suddenly rather than developing gradually through normal wear and tear, and one crack in a wall is not a sure sign of subsidence. Homeowners should be vigilant if they spot cracks wider than 3mm, or about the thickness of a £1 coin, which may need to be examined by a professional.
Diagonal cracks deserve particular care, especially if they are wider at the top than at the bottom. Cracks that appear both inside and outside a home can be a sign of a more serious issue.
Doors and windows that suddenly become difficult to open or close could indicate frames warping as a property sinks. Other signs include sloping or sinking floors, gaps near the skirting board, or an uneven floor. Wallpaper that starts to wrinkle, ripple or tear without an obvious cause may also point to subsidence, as can cracks where an extension has been joined to the main home.
What to do if you suspect subsidence
Homeowners concerned about subsidence should seek help from a professional and their insurer. The insurance company will arrange for a structural engineer to inspect the home and confirm whether there is subsidence.
The engineer could decide the home needs to be monitored before determining whether the ground is sinking, which can take up to 12 months. Anyone who wants to find out for certain whether they have subsidence before speaking to their insurer will need a subsidence survey completed by a structural engineer.
Remedies for subsidence include removing problem trees, injecting resin into the ground to fill gaps, and in extreme cases underpinning the home, which means reinforcing the foundations. The cracks caused by the subsidence can then be repaired and windows and doors replaced.
Insurance premiums and cover
The average combined home insurance premium was £383 between April and June, £9 lower than a year ago, the ABI said. Home insurance premiums rose by £8 compared with the previous three months, the first quarterly rise since the start of 2025.
The average buildings-only insurance premium cost £309 between April and June, £16 lower than a year ago and up £4 compared with the first quarter of 2026. Contents-only home insurance policies averaged £118 in the quarter, down £11 year-on-year but up £1 compared with the previous quarter, according to the ABI.
Buildings insurance policies usually cover damage caused to the structure of a home by subsidence, although the ABI said most policies have an excess of around £1,000 for a subsidence claim. The HomeOwners Alliance said damage to surrounding structures such as garden walls, fences, gates, patios and driveways is not usually covered, unless the damage happens at the same time as damage to the home. It added that if a home is so severely damaged that a person cannot live in it, their insurance should cover the cost of alternative accommodation while repairs are carried out.
