The short answer
Most UK buildings insurance policies cover subsidence, so where movement is caused by subsidence the cost of stabilising the property — which may include underpinning — is often covered by a claim, usually subject to a higher subsidence excess (commonly around £1,000). After a claim, your insurer typically manages the investigation and remedial work, and you should expect future cover and excesses to be affected — premiums can rise and the home may be harder, though not impossible, to insure. If the underpinning was done long ago with no recurrence, affordable cover is usually still available. The first step is not to start work but to notify your insurer, who will normally appoint experts to diagnose the cause.
Subsidence claims feel daunting, but the route is well-trodden and the work is often covered. The key is to contact your insurer before commissioning anything yourself. Here is how it generally works.
The insurance picture
- Subsidencecovered by most buildings policies
- Excesshigher for subsidence (often ~£1,000)
- First stepnotify your insurer
- After a claimpremiums & excess may rise
- Old, resolved workcover usually still available
When a claim covers the work
Subsidence is a standard peril on most UK buildings insurance policies, so when movement is diagnosed as subsidence the repair — potentially including underpinning — is frequently met by a claim. Claims carry a higher excess than ordinary ones, often in the region of £1,000, reflecting the scale of the work. Crucially, you should tell your insurer before starting any work: they normally appoint a loss adjuster and structural engineer to establish the cause and the right remedy, and work commissioned independently first may not be covered.
How cover changes afterwards
Once a property has had subsidence or been underpinned, insurers treat it as a higher risk, so you can usually expect higher premiums and a higher excess, and sometimes a more limited choice of insurer. It is not a dead end: where the underpinning happened a long time ago and the property has shown no further signs of subsidence, affordable cover is generally still obtainable, sometimes through specialist insurers. Keeping the certificate, engineer's report and guarantee makes it easier to arrange cover and to reassure a future buyer's insurer too.
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Suspecting subsidence | notify insurer first; they investigate |
| Active claim | higher excess (often ~£1,000) |
| After underpinning | premiums & excess may rise |
| Old, no recurrence | affordable cover usually available |
General guidance — confirm the position with your own insurer. Sources: insurer and comparison guides.
Dealing with a subsidence claim?
We'll match you with a vetted structural/underpinning contractor experienced in insurer-led work, who provides the documented, certified repair your claim and future cover rely on.
Frequently asked questions
Does home insurance cover underpinning?
Where the movement is caused by subsidence, most UK buildings insurance policies cover the cost of stabilising the property, which can include underpinning — usually subject to a higher subsidence excess, often around £1,000. Always notify your insurer before starting any work.
What is the excess on a subsidence claim?
Subsidence claims typically carry a higher excess than ordinary claims, commonly in the region of £1,000, because of the scale of investigation and work involved. Check your own policy for the exact figure.
Can you insure an underpinned house?
Yes, though it may cost more and the choice of insurer can be narrower. If the underpinning was done long ago with no further movement, affordable cover is usually still available, sometimes through specialist insurers — and keeping the certificate and guarantee helps.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property. They are guidance, not a quotation.