Can You Turn Your House Into a Holiday Let?
August 18, 2025
Turning your home into a holiday let can be a great way to boost your income and make the most of a property you’re not
Getting subsidence insurance can be difficult, especially if your property has a history of structural movement or visible damage. Many standard insurers decline cover or apply strict exclusions where subsidence, heave, or landslip is involved.
Policy Powerhouse specialises in arranging subsidence insurance in the UK for properties that don’t fit standard criteria. Whether you’ve experienced subsidence before, are dealing with cracks or movement, or need reassurance during a purchase, we provide tailored solutions.
We work with specialist insurers who understand complex risks, helping you secure reliable subsidence home insurance without delays. Get a quote today and put the right cover in place.
We work with providers experienced in non-standard construction.
Policies designed around your property’s specific risks.
Options available if you’ve been refused elsewhere.
What is subsidence and ground movement?
Subsidence happens when the ground beneath your home sinks, causing the foundations to move. This can lead to cracks in the walls, sticking doors, and, in more serious cases, structural damage.
It’s often linked to clay soils drying out, tree roots drawing moisture from the ground, or underground leaks. Ground movement also includes heave (ground rising) and landslip (sideways movement), all of which can affect a property’s stability.
What does subsidence insurance cover?
Subsidence insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing structural damage caused by ground movement. This usually includes work on foundations, walls, and floors.
Depending on the policy, it may also cover monitoring, professional reports, and alternative accommodation while repairs are carried out. In some cases, underpinning is included where it’s necessary to stabilise the property. It’s not everyday wear and tear. It’s protection for when things shift in ways they shouldn’t.
Home insurance with subsidence history
Yes, you can get home insurance with subsidence, even if your property has had issues before. The key is understanding whether the problem has been resolved or is still active.
If repairs have been completed and the property is stable, insurers are generally more open to offering cover.
Why insurers may decline cover
Standard insurers often take a cautious approach. Properties with previous claims, ongoing movement, or unclear repair history can be seen as higher risk, which leads to declined applications or exclusions.
Specialist providers take a more detailed view. By looking at surveys, reports, and the current condition of the property, they can offer home insurance for houses with subsidence that reflects the real situation, not just the label attached to it.
Buildings insurance subsidence focuses on repairing damage caused by structural movement. This includes cracks in walls, weakened foundations, and other issues that affect the integrity of your home.
It can also cover monitoring the movement over time, as well as underpinning where required. Professional costs, such as engineers’ reports, are often included too. If your home becomes unsafe during repairs, many policies will cover temporary accommodation. It’s worth noting that external features like patios or garden walls are usually excluded unless the main structure is affected.
In short, building insurance subsidence is there to handle the heavy lifting when structural issues arise.
**Conditions: We will beat or match any price for equivalent cover, or we will give your money back (within 14 days of the cover starting)
Subsidence
Subsidence is the downward movement of the ground beneath your home. It’s the most common type of structural movement in the UK and is often caused by soil shrinkage, especially during dry periods.
Ground heave insurance
Heave is the opposite of subsidence. It happens when the ground expands, usually due to increased moisture or the removal of large trees. This upward pressure can damage foundations and needs its own consideration in heave insurance.
Landslip and landslide insurance
Landslip involves the sideways movement of the ground, typically on slopes. It can be triggered by heavy rainfall or unstable terrain. Landslip insurance helps cover the cost of repairing damage caused by this type of movement.
Each type of ground movement behaves differently. A well-structured policy makes sure you’re covered from all angles.
A previous subsidence issue doesn’t mean you can’t get cover. Historic subsidence insurance is available, especially where repairs have been properly completed and signed off.
Insurers will usually look at what caused the issue, how it was fixed, and whether there’s any ongoing monitoring. Minor or resolved cases are generally easier to insure than active ones.
If your property is still being monitored, specialist cover can reflect that. The aim is to provide protection that matches the current risk, not just the past.
With the right approach, home insurance for subsidence history is entirely achievable.
Buildings insurance subsidence history is designed to protect properties where structural risk is higher. This means considering factors like soil type, nearby trees, and previous movement.
Specialist policies ensure rebuild costs are accurate and that the cover reflects the true complexity of the property.
If the property is unoccupied, you may also need unoccupied property insurance to keep cover valid.
For commercial properties, unoccupied commercial property insurance can be arranged where needed.
The cost of a subsidence insurance quote depends on the level of risk. There’s no fixed price, it’s based on your property’s specific details.
Key factors include:
Subsidence policies also tend to have higher excesses, often around £1,000. Working with a specialist helps ensure you’re not overpaying based on assumptions alone.
Get a subsidence insurance quote today with Policy Powerhouse. The process is quick, and we’ll guide you through exactly what’s needed.
If you’ve been declined elsewhere, don’t assume that’s the end of the road. We can help you find subsidence insurance that fits your situation without the usual hassle.
Yes. You’ll usually need a specialist policy, but cover is available even for higher-risk properties.
It covers structural damage caused by ground movement, including repairs and stabilisation work.
Sometimes, but not always. Many standard policies limit or exclude it, especially if there’s a history.
Subsidence is ground sinking, heave is ground rising, and landslip is sideways movement.
Yes. Many specialist insurers offer cover where the issue has been resolved or properly managed.
Structural repairs are costly, and the risk is ongoing, which increases premiums and excesses.
In some cases, yes, if it’s required as part of the repair process and included in the policy.
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