A form of earth movement, excluded in most property policies.
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UK: Damage to buildings due to a movement of land on which the property is situated. Insurance against subsidence, landslip and heave is available on residential and commercial buildings either as a named peril or under accidental damage cover. The cover excludes normal land settlement, coastal erosion and damage to walls, gates and fences unless the buildings are damaged at the same time. Normally a £1,000 excess will apply.
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Subsidence is strictly a vertical downward movement but has been held to include settlement a lateral movement.