Newbie here looking for some advice please....

We have buildings & contents cover with Liverpool Victoria and over the last couple of months we've noticed some visible evidence of movement in our house, across the kitchen, lounge & utility room - the work tops have started to sink, the floor has some visible movement and cracking in ceilings etc.

We initially called British Gas as we've got cover for drains etc - we thought this might have been the initial cause - and they came out to do a survey - advising us that we did have an issue with some of the drains at the back of the house.

However we also rang LV as there were going to be issues relating to removal of some decking. Once LV got involved they sent out a surveyor from Davies loss adjusters who decided that yes, we had a problem with movement, that it wasn't subsidence related (phew!) and that investigation was needed to see what was causing it (as I understand it our policy covered for repair based on water loss etc). They came in and repaired the damaged drains, then attempted to carry out an infra-red survey of the kitchen floor which failed due to there being at least 3 layers of tiles to go through. They then attempted a gas test which was inconclusive (he was getting false/positive readings from furniture in our lounge!) and that was it. They've now decided that it's not a matter for them as its due to the recent extension settling or poor footings for the extension - which is nearly 20yrs old. I should add that we're also aware of the issues around concrete degradation in ex-mining areas etc - that's definitely not an issue where we live.

Where do I stand on this. The drains under the kitchen area were damaged and as such the loss of water etc must have had an effect on the ground under that part of my house. The tests they did were completely inconclusive. I should add that this decision has come from the loss adjuster Davies rather than LV themselves - but while LV investigate I'd appreciate some advice.

They've not conclusively proved it's NOT a leak from somewhere.

The movement in the house is not exclusively in the extension area.

The surveyor sent out by Davies said during his visit that the only real way to find out the problem would be to dig down into the problem area - I get the impression that they've done everything to avoid doing this due to the associated costs - ie damage to house fixtures & fittings if this is done.

Hope someone has some advice on this?

Hi plastic scouser, and welcome to CAG!

I'm not an expert but if I were you I would wait for the LV investigation and if they do nothing I would speak to the Financial Ombudsman who hopefully would put pressure on them to do a proper investigation.

The FOS can be really helpful in making insurance companies re-think their position. If the house is still moving then the drain repairs haven't solved the problem.

DD

Probably the only way forward is to contact a structural engineer and ask them to provide a report on what is happening to the property. Then armed with this information, you can see what the way forward is. It is going to cost you money, but you would have a £1000 subsidence excess on your Insurance policy anyway. So you would be incurring some costs.

Davies loss adjusters have done the minimum. They think it is a mixture of extension issues and drain leakage, that have caused some movement, but it is not subsidence. Insurance is to cover the perils shown in the policy. It does not cover general movement or construction issues.

You have to be careful here. You want to establish what the problem is with the property and to have relevant works done. What you don't want to have is a subsidence claim registered on the central Insurers database. Once it is registered, you would have to declare this with Insurers and probably end up paying alot more for Insurance for as long as you own the property. If it is proved that it is actually a subsidence problem as the drainage leakage has affected the foundations, then you will have a property which will have a reduced market value, as it would be more difficult to sell.

Even if you went to the FOS, they will want you to obtain a structural engineers report, to establish that you have a valid claim against the Insurance. So obtain a report and see where this takes you.

That is very good advice.

I thought that getting FOS involved might make LV more inclined to help without the cost of getting a structural engineer involved, but from what you are saying it appears there's no way round this.

That is very good advice.

 

I thought that getting FOS involved might make LV more inclined to help without the cost of getting a structural engineer involved, but from what you are saying it appears there's no way round this.

The FOS have no powers to ask LV to complete more surveys at their cost, when Davies have already been out. The Policyholder is unhappy and therefore it is up to them to obtain a structural engineers report to find out whether the property has been damaged by an insured peril.