Subsidence-related insurance claims totalled £153 million in the
first half of 2025, as households across the UK felt the impact
of an exceptionally warm and sunny spring, according to figures
from the ABI.
Over the first six months of the year, insurers supported almost
9,000 households in recovering from subsidence damage, with the
average payout per claim standing at £17,264.
Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a building sinks,
pulling the property's foundations down with it. It typically
happens when soil loses moisture and contracts - often due to
prolonged dry spells or the presence of trees and shrubs that
draw water from the ground.
The ABI's figures follow unusually high spring temperatures, with
the Met Office confirming the UK experienced its warmest spring
on record this year - with above-average temperatures across all
four nations.1
Louise Clark, Manager of General Insurance Policy at the ABI,
said: “Climate change is significantly increasing the risk of
subsidence in the UK, particularly in areas with clay-rich soils
that sink and swell in response to changing moisture levels
caused by hot temperatures.
"While not all cases can be prevented, homeowners can reduce the
risk by managing nearby trees and shrubs that they own, and by
ensuring that gutters, pipes and plumbing are well maintained to
avoid leaks.
"If you suspect your property has suffered from subsidence
damage, contact your insurer as soon as possible. It's exactly
what your home insurance is there to cover.”
Homeowners concerned about subsidence should look out for a few
tell-tale signs. While not every crack signals a serious issue,
those that are more than 3 millimetres wide - roughly the depth
of a £1 coin - diagonal and wider at the top than the bottom, and
visible both inside and outside the property may warrant further
investigation.
Other indicators include doors and windows sticking without an
obvious cause, or wallpaper that begins to rip or crinkle in
areas not affected by damp. Subsidence cracks usually appear very
suddenly, rather than gradually. If in doubt, seek professional
advice and speak to your insurer.
Footnotes
1 – Met Office: Spring 2025 is
warmest and sunniest on UK record
