2011 could be a record year for subsidence claims, according to loss adjuster Questgates.
QuestGates associate director Kevin Terry said:Terry added: “ In our opinion, insurers should be preparing themselves to manage the likely influx of claims. Brokers should be alerting their clients in the most affected areas to be on the lookout for cracks.”
QuestGates warns that the south-east and London area could be at greater risk of a claims spike the clay soil commonly found in this part of the country is more susceptible to drought.
Parts of East Anglia are officially in a state of drought, according to Defra and the Environment Agency.
Areas in the south-west, south-east, the Midlands and Wales are experiencing drought conditions following the driest spring on record in south-east and central southern England. Overall, England and Wales are at their driest since 1990.
Terry added: “The latest data from the Meteorological Office rainfall and evaporation calculation system reveals an alarming picture. The year on year soil moisture deficit data shows that the deficit this year is greater than in 2005, the last time that the industry experienced a significant influx of subsidence related claims.”
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