Climate change has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years, and rightfully so. The impact of climate change extends far beyond the rising temperatures and melting ice caps—it may also pose a significant threat to our homes and properties. One of the potential consequences of climate change is the increasing occurrence of subsidence, a phenomenon that can cause extensive damage to buildings and structures. Recently, Aspray Loss Assessor’s very own, Satinder Grewal, appeared on an ITV News segment to shed light on this pressing issue.
Understanding Subsidence and its Link to Climate Change
Subsidence refers to the gradual sinking or settling of the ground, which can lead to the destabilisation of buildings and infrastructure. It is primarily caused by changes in soil moisture levels. As the climate warms up, we experience more extreme weather events, including prolonged dry spells. These climatic changes affect soil moisture, causing it to shrink and settle, potentially leading to subsidence-related damage to properties.
Satinder Grewal, an experienced loss assessor with Aspray, understands the complexities of subsidence and its potential links to climate change. His expertise and dedication have made him an invaluable asset in helping policyholders navigate the insurance claims process when they have experienced subsidence or other unexpected damage.
Aspray’s ITV News Appearance: Unveiling the Reality of Subsidence
The ITV News segment, which aired at 7pm on Friday 28th July, took viewers on a journey alongside Satinder and reporter Geraint Vincent to a property in East London facing the challenges of subsidence. The property owner was experiencing significant structural damage, and Satinder’s role as a loss assessor is to manage the insurance claim and ensure the homeowner receives a fair settlement from their insurer and reinstatement of their property to its pre-loss condition.
During the segment, Satinder provided insightful explanations on the mechanisms of subsidence and its potential connection to climate change. Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns can trigger periods of prolonged dryness, potentially leading to soil shrinkage and settlement. This, in turn, could put properties at risk of cracks, sinking foundations, or other serious structural issues.
With this particular property, a tree in the grounds of the property is said to be the main cause of the subsidence. Satinder said during the ITV segment: “The original problem here that we faced was a tree in the back garden, which had tree roots going towards the property, and they were drawing moisture to survive, but that moisture is being drawn from beneath the property itself, most likely due to less moisture available at surface level in the garden.”
Aspray: Managing Subsidence Claims on Behalf of Policyholders
Aspray’s commitment to supporting property owners during times of distress has earned us a reputation as one of the leading loss assessing companies in the industry. Our assessors manage insurance claims nationwide on behalf of policyholders navigating complexities related to subsidence or other property damages.
For the ITV News segment, Aspray also provided images of other subsidence claims we have successfully managed in recent years. Images of severe cracks and property shifting in properties show the devastation subsidence can cause. Luckily for the homeowners, these images are of previous damage as Aspray has now successfully completed these claims and reinstated the properties to their pre-loss condition.
Subsidence Damage in Northampton
Hear from this policyholder whose home was devasted by subsidence. Aspray managed the insurance claim on his behalf, dealing with the insurer and the resulting reinstatement works.
Association of British Insurers: One Claim Every 15 Minutes
Laura Hughes from the Association of British Insurers also took part in the segment. She explained: “In 2022, we’ve seen insurers expected to pay out £290million in claims and we know that nearly 80% of those came after the summer extreme temperatures that we saw. That’s 18,000 claims after the summer and that’s one claim every 15 minutes for the second half of the year.”
The met office, quoted in the ITV news segment, believe last year’s summer is a sign of things to come, meaning there is potential for properties to be affected in the future due to these soaring temperatures.
Protecting Your Property in an Ever-Changing Climate
Climate change is a global concern that impacts all aspects of our lives, and this may include the safety and stability of our homes. The ITV News segment featuring Satinder Grewal and Aspray is a timely reminder of the pressing need for homeowners to be proactive in protecting their properties from the effects of subsidence.
To safeguard your property, consider the following proactive measures:
Regular Property Inspections: Schedule regular inspections to identify any signs of subsidence or structural issues early on.
Maintain Landscaping: Properly manage landscaping around your property to prevent excess moisture retention, which can contribute to subsidence.
Monitor Watering Habits: Be mindful of your watering habits, ensuring that the soil around your property maintains an appropriate level of moisture.
Secure Comprehensive Insurance: Ensure your property is adequately insured to protect against unforeseen damages, including subsidence.
Seek Professional Guidance: In case of subsidence-related issues, reach out to experienced loss assessors like Aspray to manage your insurance claim effectively.
To watch the insightful ITV News segment and learn more about the potential effects of climate change on properties and subsidence, visit ITV News Segment: How Climate Change Could Be Causing Extensive Damage to Your Home.
Successful Claims
See examples of the Aspray service in action, with case studies based on different perils. There may be a case study that is similar to your situation. If you want to find out more about a particular case study, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
