Monday, May 6, 2013

Underpinned insurance: for properties that have had work done on the foundations

An underpinned property is one that has had work done on the foundations to stop subsidence, which can make it unlikely that a regular home insurance policy will cover it. There are specialist policies, however, that cover underpinned homes so if you live in one of these properties then be sure to get in touch with a company that offers them.

All around the country there are thousands of homes that have suffered from subsidence, which is a huge concern for all home owners. Subsidence is when your home sinks into the ground, which is generally due to the foundations that it is built on shrinking because of dry spells or trees and plants taking away all the moisture in the earth. When subsidence occurs it is important that action is taken because it can cause all kinds of damage to the home, particularly to the foundations. This action that is taken is called underpinning, which involves the property having work done below the foundations to help support the building and stop it from shrinking further into the ground.

Of course an underpinned property will still be seen as a substantial risk by insurance companies, so you may struggle to find insurance if your home has been underpinned. You can, however, take advantage of specialist policies called underpinned insurance, which are designed to cover you. Whilst the premiums may be slightly more expensive than usual, it 's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to home insurance. An underpinned property is perfectly safe to live in and the work done should stop subsidence from happening again, but it is more than likely that you will need a specialist policy to protect yourself. Get in touch with one of these companies today to find out more about insuring an underpinned property.

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