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It's a long story I'll try and keep short.
A few years of cracking, problems with doors and windows sticking and finally not being able to be closed and some obvious movement at the front of our house promoted us to get a structural survey carried out to see if we have subsidence and to then get the insurance involved (I was reluctant to do so if it was something less serious).
Structural survey carried out in may by accredited company. Report issued in June stating subsidence to front, side and rear of property, possible failed drain to front causing the issues at the front aspect. Recommend underpinning.
Contact insurance who then pass me on to about 4 different companies (main insurer, underwriter, claims handler for a surveying company and then finally a subsidence specialist)
They send a guy out with a camera purely to take photos at 7pm on Friday. He was there for maybe 15 mins. Get a call today from same company saying insurance will not cover as it appears movement is lateral detachment to front wall and poor maintenance to rear aspect. He notes that I mentioned I already had a survey carried out and says he would like to see the report before he completes his assessment.
Questions are -
1 should I supply this report to him? (I don't see what harm it could do at this point)
2 what the hell is the point in buildings insurance if it doesn't cover things like this?
3 surely a guy taking some pictures for 15 mins is no match for a proper structural survey? The report we've got is pretty comprehensive and even has remedial recommendations.
saying insurance will not cover as it appears movement is lateral detachment to front wall
That's not a reason not to cover you! What rubbish!
(sorry - I have no constructive comments)
You could get a cctv drain survey - probably cost about 100 quid. Would then offer an explanation for the movement. The movement doesn't just happen even on expansive soils (are you on clay). Much more common for it to be due to a tree though than a collapsed drain - if the proposed movement mechanism is that the drain has washed the foundation bearing soil away, it won't be that gradual!
This is an excellent book (most of the content is still relevant even tho it's old): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Has-Your-House-Got-Cracks/dp/0727730894 you can get a used copy for a fiver. I found it very useful when I bought a house that had minor tree caused subsidence and had to have discussions with insurers.
I would be very surprised if you're really not covered.
Edit: note it's not completely straightforward if you noticed the cracks when you were with another insurer - the claim may be with them. There is a bunch of complicated rules IIRC (the are meant to explain them tho!).
Can the surveyor add a note specifically addressing the findings of this bloke's 15 minute survey, particularly with regard to the maintenance aspect?
It feels like insurers will try it on now with everyone in the hope that a % of them will just walk away and not fight it.
Make sure they understand that yes, you will fight it.
In my experience, surveyors can add a note on anything you want them to. They'll just charge for it and you might not like what they write.
Just a stab in the dark here, but I'm pretty sure insurance states that gradual damage over a long period is not covered. So if your report references the fact you have had cracking and movement for several years it might be worth asking the surveyor to rewrite it for you before letting the insurance see it. (PS I might be talking bollocks, read your T&C's and decide!)
Insurance is made for accidental not long term failure or lack of maintenance their words not mine, it all comes down to how it has been worded by the surveyor
Walls that collapse due to hanging over off the plumb gradually over many years probably won't be covered whereas reversing into a healthy building or wall will be 100% covered or should be
I would still expect subsidence to be covered (that's one of the main reasons for insurance after fire and theft) I just wouldn't offer up the information that there has been minor movement for years!