Subsidence specialist Mainmark UK has warned that it expects the wet weather experienced this year to lead to a spike in subsistence losses in the coming months. It highlighted the record rainfall in Q1, which set the tone for the rest of the year.

Freya Chapman, residential lead at Mainmark UK, said: “While hot weather is more commonly known to cause subsidence, prolonged periods of rainfall, and the resulting flooding, create an equally alarming risk. The ongoing wet weather we’ve experienced following last year's record heat will have had a profound effect on ground saturation. The resulting washout and foundation movement is expected to cause cases of subsidence to peak, with central regions such as Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire, which saw record rainfall in 2024, at a more significant risk.

“Insurers can expect to see a peak in subsidence-related claims in coming months, and due to the lengthy process from surveying to payout, which can take upwards of six months, we most likely won't see these claims come to fruition until late 2025 or early 2026. Insurers should look to prepare and utilise what methods they can to try to speed up the claims process to ensure the issue is resolved promptly and damage is minimised.”