Subsidence risk 'increases in dry summers'

By Marianne Straker, Wed 21 Jul 2010 - Published in Home Insurance

Home insurance customers could be at greater risk of subsidence to their properties because of the dry summer conditions, it has been suggested.

A report by home insurance provider M&S Money claimed that the UK is expected to see the driest summer in more than 80 years, citing Met Office data which showed that January had the lowest level of rainfall since 1929.

The company also pointed out there is often an increased number of subsidence claims during periods of dry weather, as soil becomes more unstable when moisture is taken out of it.

Andrew Ferguson, head of general insurance at M&S, said: "The outlook for this summer is currently predicted to be 27 per cent drier than average, so it looks like we have the conditions for subsidence losses."

He also recommended that people contact their home insurance provider as soon as possible if they notice the warning signs of subsidence in their properties.

Earlier this week, financial services firm Hiscox noted that the summer brings another risk to homeowners, as this is the peak season for burglaries.

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