How long for subsidence insurance claim until completion?

[Picklesandpies]

Hi,

We have discovered our small extension that runs across the back of our 1930s house has developed subsidence. The rest of the house is structurally sound thank goodness. We had our insurance company out to look at it about 3 months ago and they believed it to be an issue with cracked underground drainage pipes (and the water leaking into ground has made it soft). Their own inspection team confirmed this was the case but that it falls to the local water company to fix it. Southern Water came recently to inspect the drains and said there was no problem to fix. So I don't know where this leaves us.

Anyway, my question is - how long do these things take? The insurance company have said it should be completed by October NEXT YEAR. I just can't believe it will take this long. We are desperate to move house next year and this puts a complete spanner in the works.

Can anyone share their experiences with me or offer any advice which might speed things up a bit for us? I feel as though we are going to be trapped here for the next two years.

Thanks so much!

Have your insurers accepted the water company has nothing to fix? What is the work that will be completed by October next year?

Thanks for your reply. The insurers know the water company disagree with their findings as we called them to let them know but they need to speak with them on Tuesday before we can move forward. I've just reread the last document and it states repairs won't begin until next October! I just cannot understand how it's going to take this long.

That's really cheeky that it would take that long. I know the Daily Mail isn't favoured on MN but they do have a money section you can write to. It's on Wednesdays. They get refunds for people and hurry along compnies dragging their feet. Or you could get a solicitor involved.

Also - the insurance company won't discuss the repairs of the house until they've fixed the drains (if indeed they are responsible for the subsidence). I certainly don't expect them to do the repairs before the problem is fixed but it would be nice to know what repairs they will cover so we can plan accordingly. Other areas in the house could be updated while we wait to be able to start on the back room.

Thanks Viv. I'm glad it's not only me who thinks so. I just feel as though our lives will be put on hold until then! Our daughter starts secondary school next year and we would like to move before then.