UK Home Insurance Costs To Soar As Warming Speeds Subsidence - Telegraph

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The heatwave is likely to cause a dramatic increase in the number of homes affected by subsidence, experts warned yesterday.

Buildings insurance premiums are expected to soar in the autumn to offset the increase in claims.

In the worst cases of subsidence, home-owners will need to get their properties underpinned - propped up while the foundations are strengthened - which can cost anything up to £50,000. The problem is particularly acute for those wishing to sell their homes because many people will not consider buying a property with a history of subsidence, even if the problem has been rectified.

David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association's environment board, said: "High temperatures and low rainfall in many parts of the country will have left the water table low and trees sucking up any moisture left in the soil.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/07/24/nheat24.xml