30/03/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AwbqEE1Jm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
In the current insurance climate, most insurers are asking whether you have any cracks in your building before offering cover (on new policies or renewals). Most buildings have a few unimportant cracks here and there, but do you need to disclose them? And what happens if you do?
The problem is that all cracks begin as small and insignificant looking. Some stay that way but others grow to show that there is more of a problem - perhaps subsidence or some other significant structural issue. So if you have some cracks, the insurer doesn't know if they are the start of a subsidence problem or not. They won't want to insure you if it is, so they are likely to either decline to offer you subsidence cover, or ask for an expert's report before offering it. They might even just decline to quote at all.
By getting an expert's report on the cause of the cracks (assuming that report confirms it's not subsidence) you can safely disclose the cracks as required, thus protecting your insurance position, but back that up with the report which will reassure the insurer that the matter has been properly looked at and is not a risk which should concern them.
Many people fall into the trap of not disclosing the cracks, which just gives the insurer an excuse to decline to deal with any claim that you may make (even an unrelated one like a fire or water damage) by voiding the policy from inception based on non-disclosure. Insurers seem to be doing this more and more at present, and we have many clients in that unfortunate position.
Don't fall into the trap of invalidating your insurance through non-disclosure - and thereby wasting all the money you are paying in premiums. Don't give your insurers an excuse to wriggle out of a claim. Have any cracks looked at professionally by an independent subsidence expert and get a written report which you can show to an insurer (or prospective purchaser) to reassure them that all is well. We offer this service across the UK for £295 + vat.
https://bandsc.co.uk/remote-crack-inspection-surveys-via-video-link/
For a little free expert advice, join our Facebook Group UK Subsidence (clay shrinkage and trees) and post a picture;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/subsidence/
