Hastings reports nearly 140% annual rise in August subsidence claims
Hastings Direct says its August 2026 subsidence claims rose almost 140% from a year earlier, as other insurers also report increased activity.
In short
- Hastings Direct says its August 2026 subsidence claims rose almost 140% from a year earlier, as other insurers also report increased activity.
Hastings Direct recorded almost 140% more home subsidence claims in August 2026 than in August 2025, the insurer told the Guardian in a report published on September 5, 2026. It said the monthly total was its highest for August.
The increase adds to signs of pressure on home insurers following dry summer weather. Aviva also reported rising subsidence claims in recent months, while Axa said it expected an unusually busy year for this type of damage, according to the newspaper.
Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a building moves downward, potentially affecting its foundations. Dry conditions can cause soil to shrink. Hastings said two unusually dry summers had contributed to the increase in activity and expected claims to remain elevated into October 2026 unless sustained rain restored soil moisture.
The Guardian also reported figures from the Association of British Insurers showing that domestic subsidence payouts reached £72 million in April–June 2026, compared with £60 million in the same period of 2025. The average claim reached £20,000, more than £2,000 above the year-earlier figure.
Those industry figures cover the second quarter and therefore precede the August increase reported by Hastings. The insurer's percentage rise describes its own claims experience, rather than a market-wide increase.
