The short answer
Yes, you can insure a house that has been underpinned, though it sometimes takes a little more effort than insuring a property with no movement history. The most reliable route is often to stay with the existing buildings insurer, because under long-standing industry practice an insurer that has dealt with a subsidence claim will usually continue to offer cover, and that arrangement can pass to a buyer when the house is sold. New insurers may apply a higher subsidence excess (commonly around £1,000) and ask for the structural documents before quoting. If a mainstream insurer declines, specialist subsidence insurers and brokers arrange cover for previously underpinned and former-subsidence properties. Keeping the property continuously insured and holding the Certificate of Structural Adequacy makes the process far smoother.
Insurance is one of the biggest worries for owners of underpinned homes, but cover is almost always obtainable. The sections below explain how it works, why the existing insurer matters, and what to do if you hit a refusal.
Insurance facts
- Can you insure it?Yes
- Easiest routeStay with existing insurer
- Typical subsidence excessAround £1,000
- New insurer wantsStructural documents first
- If declinedSpecialist subsidence insurer / broker
Why the existing insurer is your best starting point
UK insurers operate under industry arrangements that mean a property's current buildings insurer will generally continue to offer cover after a subsidence claim, rather than dropping the policyholder. This is significant for two reasons. First, it gives the current owner a dependable source of cover. Second, when the house is sold, the buyer can often take on that same policy, inheriting the established cover and claims history rather than starting from scratch with a new insurer who is unfamiliar with the property. For this reason, the simplest path to insuring an underpinned home is frequently to keep the existing policy running and, on sale, arrange for it to transfer to the buyer.
What changes on the policy
Cover is available, but the terms after underpinning or a subsidence claim can differ from a standard policy:
| Feature | Typical position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings cover | Available | Often via existing insurer |
| Subsidence excess | Around £1,000 | Higher than a standard excess |
| Premium | May be higher | Reflects movement history |
| Documents needed | Certificate, repair records | Insurers ask before quoting |
| New insurer | Possible but pickier | Some apply stricter terms |
Indicative summary for guidance. Actual terms vary by insurer and property.
What insurers ask before quoting
To assess a previously underpinned property, an insurer typically wants a clear picture of the history and current condition. Be ready to provide:
- The Certificate of Structural Adequacy confirming the underpinning remedied the movement.
- Details of the original cause and evidence it was removed — for example a repaired drain or a managed tree.
- The date of the works and how long the property has been stable since.
- Any previous claims and their outcomes.
- Building-control sign-off and guarantees for the work.
The clearer and more complete this information, the more comfortable an insurer is, and the better the terms tend to be. A property where the cause was clearly identified and removed, and which has been stable for years, is a very different risk from one with vague history and recent movement — and insurers price accordingly. Gathering these details before you seek a quote saves time and avoids a refusal based simply on missing information.
If a mainstream insurer declines
Occasionally a mainstream insurer will not quote on a previously underpinned property, particularly if there is no clear documentation or the movement was recent. This is not the end of the road. A number of specialist insurers and brokers focus specifically on non-standard risks, including former-subsidence and underpinned homes, and can arrange cover where a high-street insurer will not. To give any insurer the best chance of quoting competitively, keep the property continuously insured (a gap in cover makes things harder), hold the Certificate of Structural Adequacy and repair records ready to share, and be able to show the cause of the original movement was identified and removed. With that evidence, insurable cover is the norm rather than the exception for underpinned homes — which in turn underpins both mortgageability and saleability.
Frequently asked questions
Is insurance more expensive after underpinning?
It can be. Premiums may be somewhat higher to reflect the movement history, and the subsidence excess is typically larger than a standard excess — often around £1,000. Staying with the existing insurer, holding the structural documents, and showing the property has been stable all help keep terms reasonable.
Can a buyer take over my insurance on an underpinned house?
Often yes. Because the existing insurer already knows the property and its claims history, arranging for the buyer to continue that policy is a common and effective way to ensure the home stays insurable through the sale. Your insurer and conveyancer can confirm whether this is possible in your case.
What if no insurer will cover my underpinned house?
If mainstream insurers decline, specialist subsidence insurers and brokers arrange cover for previously underpinned and former-subsidence properties. Providing the Certificate of Structural Adequacy, repair records and evidence of stability, and avoiding any lapse in cover, gives the best chance of an affordable quote.
Sources & further reading
- Association of British Insurers — subsidence
- HomeOwners Alliance — subsidence guide
- RICS — subsidence and your home
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property. They are guidance, not a quotation.