# Subsidence Insurance Claim Ireland | Excess, Process, Disputes > How a subsidence insurance claim works in Ireland: what's covered, the €1,000–€2,500 excess, the insurer's engineer, monitoring and disputes. URL: https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/subsidence-insurance-claim-ireland/ Decision Guide # Subsidence Insurance Claim in Ireland: How It Works What's covered, what the insurer's engineer does, why claims get disputed, and where an independent engineer fits. By StructuralEngineer.ie · Reviewed by Joachim Louw, CEng MIEI · Updated 19 October 2026 [StructuralEngineer.ie](https://structuralengineer.ie/)'s summary: a subsidence insurance claim in Ireland usually runs notification, then the insurer's engineer's report on the cause, then monitoring where needed, then agreed repairs, with a subsidence excess, often €1,000–€2,500, deducted from the settlement. Most claims that go wrong do so over cause: subsidence is covered, while "settlement" and defective workmanship are usually excluded. ## What a buildings policy usually covers Most Irish home buildings policies cover **subsidence, heave and landslip**, the ground moving under the house. They usually exclude: - **Settlement**, the normal bedding-down of new structures, including new extensions - **Defective design, materials or workmanship** - **Coastal or river erosion** in some policies - Damage that started before the policy began Read the definitions in your own policy, because they decide the claim. ## How a claim usually runs - **Notify the insurer** as soon as you suspect movement. - **The insurer’s engineer or loss adjuster inspects** and reports on the likely cause. - **Monitoring**, where the cause isn’t clear: level or crack readings over months, possibly trial pits and a drain survey. - **Agreement on the cause and repairs:** drain repair, tree management, crack repair or underpinning. - **Settlement**, with the excess deducted. Some insurers hold back part of the payment until repairs are complete. ## Why claims get disputed Ombudsman decisions show the typical friction points. The insurer’s engineer may say the damage is settlement, shrinkage or an excluded cause. Competing engineers’ reports may disagree. Or the insurer may accept current damage but refuse future cover. In one published FSPO decision the insurer brought in a forensic engineering firm after the reports conflicted. ## Where an independent engineer helps The insurer’s engineer works for the insurer. An independent engineer’s report that records the crack pattern, timing, ground and likely cause gives you an evidence base to discuss the findings, and to take to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman if needed. It also tells you early whether you have a claim at all, before you spend months on one that was never going to succeed. ## Bottom line Notify early, read the policy definitions, and get the cause established with evidence. If the insurer’s view doesn’t match what you see, an independent report is your next step. For a fixed-fee subsidence investigation, call [01 270 9764](tel:+35312709764). Want a fixed fee for your job? Call 01 270 9764. Callback the same working day. Fixed fee confirmed in writing before the visit. [Call 01 270 9764](tel:+35312709764) [Request a fixed quote](https://structuralengineer.ie/contact/) ## Frequently asked questions **Should I tell my insurer about cracks before I'm sure it's subsidence?** Generally yes. Policies require prompt notification of possible claims, and late notice can complicate things. You can notify while you investigate. **Will a subsidence claim affect my premium?** It can affect future premiums and terms, and you'll need to disclose it when you sell or switch insurer. That's another reason to establish the real cause with evidence. **Can I appoint my own engineer?** Yes. The insurer appoints theirs, but nothing stops you commissioning an independent report. In disputed claims it's often what makes the difference. Sources - [Zurich Ireland: My home has subsidence, cracking or movement](https://www.zurich.ie/-/media/project/zurichie/zurichmainsite/files/zurich-home-claims---my-home-has-subsidence-cracking-movement.pdf) - [FSPO decision 2020-0082](https://fspo.ie/complaint-outcomes/decisions/documents/2020-0082.pdf) - [FSPO decision 2020-0354](https://fspo.ie/complaint-outcomes/decisions/documents/2020-0354.pdf) - [Banrach: Subsidence costs in Ireland](https://banrach.ie/subsidence-cost-ireland/) Get a fixed engineering fee Two short steps. We call back the same working day. Prefer to talk? [Call 01 270 9764](tel:+35312709764). A live person answers during office hours. [Related service Subsidence Surveys Investigation, monitoring and insurer-ready reports when the ground is moving. See the service](https://structuralengineer.ie/subsidence-survey/) Talk it through 01 270 9764 Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00 [Call now](tel:+35312709764) ### More guides - [Subsidence Repair Cost in Ireland (2026) From the first investigation to underpinning: what each stage of a subsidence repair costs, and why most cases never need underpinning at all.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/subsidence-repair-cost-ireland/) - [Are Cracks in Walls Serious? How to Tell Crack width, pattern and whether it's moving: the three things that separate cosmetic cracks from structural ones.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/when-are-cracks-in-walls-serious/) - [Pyrite Remediation Scheme: Who Qualifies and How It Works A scheme of last resort for homes damaged by pyrite heave: where it applies, what evidence it needs, and where the engineer comes in.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/pyrite-remediation-scheme/) - [Cracks in a New Build House: Normal or a Warranty Claim? New houses crack as they dry out. The question is which cracks are part of that, and which belong with the builder or the warranty provider.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/new-build-cracks-homebond/)