UK homeowners are reporting a sharp rise in subsidence damage after two record-hot summers, prompting insurers to warn of a "surge year" in claims. Cases such as that of Henry Biggs in Stroud, Gloucestershire, illustrate the problem: cracks that appeared shortly after he bought his 1970s house have widened into gaps large enough to see through, with doors sticking and floors sinking, while the insurance claims process drags on for over a year with no repair date in sight. The British Geological Survey warns the issue will worsen as climate change brings hotter, drier summers, with up to 11% of UK homes — more than 4.2 million properties, particularly older ones on clay-rich soils in areas such as London, Essex, Kent and eastern England — potentially at risk by 2070.

Insurers are already seeing the impact: Hastings reported record subsidence claims in August, up 140% year-on-year, with 2026 claims running 30% higher overall, while Axa and Aviva have flagged rising exposure and are reviewing pricing and reserves. The Association of British Insurers says the average subsidence claim reached a record £20,000 between April and June, up more than £2,000 on the previous year, with total payouts rising to £72m from £60m. Experts attribute the surge to "differential movement" in soils that dry unevenly, a problem compounded by trees and shifting clay, which is also causing related damage to water mains and roads.