Warm dry weather spells a summer of subsidence

With the Met Office predicting a warmer than average British summer, homeowners need to ensure they have adequate insurance against subsidence.

Subsidence claims on domestic properties cost £162 million with 31,895 claims last year, with most subsidence claims being subject to a £1,000 excess.

Peter Gerrard, head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Brits may love the warm weather but this can have a downside for the foundations of your home. Bouts of heat can cause the ground beneath a property to dry out and become unstable. Homes with trees nearby are more at risk of subsidence as roots grow in search of water during dry spells, taking moisture from the soil.

"So as people protect themselves this summer with sunscreen, a cap and a t-shirt, they should also look to see their home isn't at risk from the sun. The most common sign of subsidence is cracks appearing in the wall, especially around the door and window frames. All buildings naturally experience some cracking, so homeowners or buyers needn't always panic.

"Any cracks wider than your thumb however could mean there is subsidence. In this case you should alert your insurer immediately so they can assess the situation. I urge homeowners to be as honest as possible and fully update their insurer if there are any signs of subsidence around their home. Prevention is far better than cure for all parties."

Subsidence - things to look out for and steps to take:

Most insurance companies will want to look at the development of cracks over time so prepare to be patient with regular inspections

Damaged or leaking drains (which can weaken the ground beneath the foundations) need repairing and trees close to the property should be regularly pruned

Underpinning may be an option where concrete is poured into the foundations to bolster the structure. This should be done by a reputable building company

You can use The Land Registry to research whether houses in the local area have been affected by subsidence

If you have any work done to your property to reduce the effects of subsidence, keep all receipts and any certificates.