Insurers in the UK are confronting a growing number of subsidence claims following two record-hot summers, as stressed homeowners report new and widening cracks in walls and plaster. The surge of claims has left many policyholders waiting for assessments, monitoring and, in some cases, the start of remedial work.
Homeowners report severe damage
"We've got one wall with an absolutely huge diagonal crack, through which we can see through to the other room; you could easily put your fingers in it and chunks of plaster are falling off," said Henry Biggs, 49, from Stroud in Gloucestershire. He and his partner began noticing cracks in their home in June 2025, a few months after buying the property, and submitted a subsidence claim that was accepted by their insurer, Admiral, in the spring.
Delays in monitoring and repairs
According to Biggs, monitoring devices were fitted only recently — about a year after the first claim was lodged — and the family remain unsure when any repair work will commence. His experience reflects broader frustrations among households facing lengthy waits for inspections, monitoring and clarity about next steps once a claim is accepted.
Wider implications for homeowners and insurers
The rise in claims has placed pressure on both insurers and homeowners to assess, manage and fund repair work resulting from the damage. For many affected families the timing, scope and cost of repairs remain uncertain, even after claims are validated, leaving them to live with visible and potentially worsening structural damage while they await further action.