Compare underpinned house insurance

Find and compare underpinned house insurance online in just a few minutes

Get a quote now

How it works

Enter your details

Get personalised quotes in minutes by providing a few home details.

Compare quotes

Find home insurance that's right for you by exploring our best deals.

Apply and save

Start saving money and apply with your chosen provider.

What is an underpinned house?

Underpinning is the process by which the foundation of a house is strengthened or reinforced to make it more secure. It is usually done to houses located on land that has a history of subsidence.

What is subsidence?

Subsidence is the downward moving or shaking of the ground. Houses built on land that are prone to subsidence can develop cracks and eventually even collapse in some cases, unless it’s caught early.

Can you get underpinned house insurance?

Underpinned house insurance is considered specialist insurance because insurers see underpinned houses as high risk and costly to repair. However, you can find several specialist insurance providers that offer cover for underpinned houses.

What do I need to know to get underpinned house insurance?

When you apply for underpinned house insurances, insurers will likely ask you a number of questions before they give you a quote. Some of the questions can include:

When your property was underpinned?
How proportion of your property is underpinned?
If or when your home experience last experienced subsidence?
Was your property underpinned after making an insurance claim?
Whether you have documentation ensuring that your property is secure?

Be sure to be honest about any of the questions asked by the insurance or you may not get a payout if you make a claim.

Underpinned House Insurance - Body Image

How much does underpinned house insurance cost?

Underpinned house insurance will likely cost more than standard home insurance policies, as insurers consider underpinned houses as high risk.

Additionally, it’s also likely that insurers will ask to set a much higher excess than standard home insurance.

So for example, if a standard excess is £250, for underpinned home insurance, it may be set at £1,000. This is because claims for subsistence can be very expensive, as the cost repairing houses that have experienced subsistence can be high.

How much does it cost to underpin a house?

The cost for underpinning a house will vary from house to house. Some of the factors that will affect the cost can include:

The size of the property
The location
The amount of work required
The method of construction of your house

Typically, the cost of underpinning the average house can range from £10,000 to £15,000.

How do I know if my house needs underpinning?

If you suspect that your house may need underpinning, there a couple of signs to look out for:

Cracks in the structure. Keep an eye out for cracks that may have appeared suddenly, especially around doors and windows. It’s also important to keep in mind that not all cracks may be signs of subsidence.

Difficulty in opening or closing doors and windows: Often if your property has shifted, you may find it difficult to open or close doors and windows. However, this is also a problem that can occur due to rapid or significant fluctuations in temperature in moisture.

In any case, if you are worried about subsidence, it may be a good idea to have a builder inspect these signs so you can get a professional opinion.

How do I know if my house is at risk of subsidence?

Some houses are more prone to subsidence than other because:

The type of soil they’re built on: Some soils such as clay can change shape depending on moisture levels, causing the land to shift.
If they have a lot of trees around the property: Trees often extract moisture from the soils, which can cause the ground to dry and sink
If the house is a listed property: Older properties are often built with shallow foundations, compared to modern houses. This makes some more prone to subsidence.

Home insurance guides