The Aporia · Record domestic subsidence claims received after summer heatwaves

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported that domestic subsidence claims reached a record high after summer heatwaves, with more than 8,000 claims received compared to the same period last year. The average insurance payout for subsidence damage remained at £20,000, marking another consecutive quarter at this level. Insurers noted warning signs such as cracks wider than 3mm and diagonal cracks that are wider at the top, suggesting homeowners should consult their insurers or seek professional advice if these issues arise.

Written by AI on 2026-11-02, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

In November 2026, insurance industry body the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported a record number of subsidence claims following summer heatwaves in the UK. The total number of claims reached 13, with 7 still under investigation. In contrast, the same period a year earlier saw only 8,000 subsidence claims. Chris Bose, director of general insurance and international policy at the ABI, noted that this trend highlights the growing impact of extreme weather conditions on property damage.

Homeowners are advised to look out for specific signs such as cracks wider than 3mm, diagonal cracks widening from top to bottom, or sudden appearance of cracks, which may indicate subsidence. The average insurance payout for subsidence damage remained at a record high of £20,000 for the second quarter in a row. Additionally, the total amount paid out by insurers for home and business property claims increased to £1.5 billion, despite a 4% decrease in overall claim numbers to 142,000 compared to the previous quarter.

Written for “Record Subsidence Claims Filed” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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No political leaning scored for article 123007 · logged 2026-11-02

📰 Record Subsidence Claims Filed

Economy/Business · 1 article(s) covering the same event.

Nothing to compare against. No article is close enough to this one for the pipeline to have linked or judged the pair.

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Vicky Shaw

65 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 The ABI said that homeowners concerned about subsidence should be aware of several warning signs, and may need to consider speaking to their insurer and seeking professional advice if they notice: – Cracks that are wider than 3mm – about the thickness of a £1 coin – as these may need further investigation. – Diagonal cracks, particularly if they are wider at the top than at the bottom. – Cracks that appear suddenly, rather than developing gradually through normal wear and tear.

2026-11-02 · speculative framing · Record domestic subsidence claims received after summer heatwaves – insurers

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🔮 Here is a look at what will be available under the plans: – What is the Your First Home scheme? The scheme will provide 20% equity loans to first-time buyers.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · What support has been announced for first-time buyers in the Budget?

🔮 The move was welcomed by many savings and investments providers – although some raised concerns that plans for a new “starter Isa” could add more complexities to the Isa system.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Annual cash Isa limit will remain at £20,000 after plans for cut overturned

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2026-10-26 · mixed framing · Regulator examines how flood risk relates to the mortgage market in England

🔮 The Government recently unveiled the Your First Home initiative, which will give first-time buyers the chance to buy a new build property with a 2.5% deposit, with the Government stepping in to lend them an extra 20% towards the cost.

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🔮 Read More He added: “Those coming to the end of a current fixed (mortgage) deal will not only face higher rates but also a more volatile market where deals can come and go quickly.”

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2026-10-19 · assertive framing · £3,575 jump in the average price tag on a home in October – Rightmove

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · £3,575 jump in the average price tag on a home in October – Rightmove

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Chris Bose, director of general insurance and international policy at the ABI, said: “This year’s weather has painted a clear picture of what’s to come, with heatwaves and storms hitting communities right across the UK.

framing: speculative · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-11-02

2026-11-02 · Evening Standard

Record domestic subsidence claims received after summer heatwaves – insurers · speculative framing

In the same period a year earlier, 8,000 subsidence claims were received. uncertain

claims → receive → period

The ABI’s figures on claims notified, which includes the data on subsidence claims, goes back to 1991. uncertain

which → notify → 1991

The average insurance payout for subsidence damage to a home remained at a record £20,000 for the second quarter in a row. asserted

payout → remain → row

The ABI said that homeowners concerned about subsidence should be aware of several warning signs, and may need to consider speaking to their insurer and seeking professional advice if they notice: – Cracks that are wider than 3mm – about the thickness of a £1 coin – as these may need further investigation. – Diagonal cracks, particularly if they are wider at the top than at the bottom. – Cracks that appear suddenly, rather than developing gradually through normal wear and tear. uncertain

that → say → wear

Meanwhile, the average home and business property insurance payout reached a record £10,000 for claims in the third quarter of this year, according to the ABI. uncertain

payout → reach → ABI

The body’s settled claims data goes back to 2017. uncertain

data → settle → 2017

While the total number of home and business claims fell by 4% to 142,000 compared with the previous quarter, the amount paid out by insurers increased by 1% to £1.5 billion. uncertain

amount → fall → billion

The increase reflects rising repair costs across the supply chain, including higher price of materials and labour, as well as more severe weather causing more significant damage to properties, the ABI said. asserted

ABI → reflect → properties

The ABI said the average domestic fire claim amounted to £38,000 and the average domestic flood claim cost £28,000. uncertain

claim → say → 28,000

heatwaves → say → UK

Read More “Insurers stand ready to help people repair and rebuild, but more action is needed to prevent damage in the first place. asserted

action → read → place

“These record costs show the severe damage that extreme weather is now causing for communities and the need to boost resilience. asserted

weather → show → resilience

“It’s vital that new homes are built to withstand increasingly frequent extreme weather and that we work together to improve the long-term resilience of our homes and businesses.” asserted

we → ’ → homes

Record domestic subsidence claims received after summer heatwaves – insurers

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