We have all seen the effects of freeze and thaw on road surfaces, with cracks, potholes, sunken drain and manhole covers. At each successive freeze and thaw water penetrates into cracks and faults, freezes and expands and causes more damage at each phase. The behaviour of water in the ground around our properties is key whether in winter, spring, summer or autumn.
The Daily Telegraph of 24 February 2010 page 7 reports on a substantial cliff fall at Oddicombe Beach in Torquay, affecting a property called Ridgemont House, which overlooks the beach and sits on top of unstable sandstone cliffs. Apparently a rock, described as the size of a transit van, fell in the night causing a substantial part of the 300 foot cliff to collapse. The substantial house, built late 1930s, was sold last year for £123,000 and last week for £154,000. Elsewhere, such a property may be valued at £1.5 million. The utilities to the house were cut off 10 years ago following another cliff fall. The property stands on a fault line, so planning for any demolition and rebuild on the land further from the clifftop may be difficult as sinking the usual foundations may not be allowed. There may be the possibility of a rebuild using ‘Raft’ method foundations.
It is unlikely that there is any insurance in operation for the owner in such circumstances.
Building insurance policies normally cover damage caused to a property by subsidence, heave or landslip. If there has been a change of insurer and such damage has been found, any claim may involve the Association of British Insurers’ Domestic Subsidence Claims Handling Agreement, to which the majority of household insurers subscribe. This Agreement determines claims handling. A claim made within eight weeks of changeover is handled by the previous insurer. For eight weeks to one year, the claim is handled by the new insurer with costs shared equally between the new and previous insurer. At over one year, the new insurer is responsible.
