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Mine Subsidence Insurance Coverage: Home Insurance Add-on

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Mine subsidence insurance is coverage set aside for loss to property caused by the sinking of a mine which was man-made. There are structures in some states which may be situated over old, abandoned mines, e.g. Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, or West Virginia. If the insured property is damaged due to the mine sinking, collapsing, or shifting, the damage is generally excluded from home policies based on the earth movement restriction. There are some states that are mandating that carriers have coverage for mine subsidence for their policyholders who live in these areas, e.g. Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia, for both commercial and residential. In Ohio, it is mandated for farms and dwellings only.

What Is Mine Subsidence?

Mine subsidence is when the ground shifts or moves either vertically or laterally due to the sinking or collapsing of an underground, man-made mine. There are various abandoned mines that cause subsidence, e.g. clay, coal, limestone, or fluorspar.  

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The most common type of subsidence is trough subsidence when the pillars that support the roof of the mine collapse and cause sag causing a depression in the ground that can spread throughout several acres. A mine that collapses or sinks also has the capability of causing sinkhole or pit subsidence which will make a hole in the ground after the mine roof caves in.

Mine subsidence is only referred to when a man-made structure has caused movement in the ground to occur. It there is lateral or vertical shifts in the ground due to a natural occurrence, e.g. landslides, earthquake, soil erosion, that would not be considered mine subsidence.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Subsidence?

There are some areas within certain states where it is mandated that their home insurance carrier cover their mine subsidence. For most folks, homeowners insurance excludes this under the earth movement restriction, and these people need to purchase mine subsidence insurance if their home is near or above an abandoned mine.

Mine subsidence coverage protects your home in the instance that sag or sinkhole subsidence occurs damaging your structure, e.g. if the foundation to your home is damaged due to the pillars of the mine collapsing and the earth surrounding your home depresses, this will be covered up to the limits of your policy.

Mine subsidence insurance is mostly available only in the states where the number of homes and commercial properties situated over or near mines is predominant and, is attainable through the state government or private insurers. But even in these states, there are limits and restrictions, e.g. in Illinois, the state government does not provide mine subsidence but does mandate home insurance carriers to provide it.

If you live in an area in Illinois, or anywhere for that matter, where it is not provided by the state or mandated to be carried by your home insurance, you are able to contact your provider to inquire about adding the peril as an endorsement.

Understand Your Need For Mine Subsidence

It’s important when you purchase your home, particularly in the higher risk areas, to do your research as to where the mines are located and if your home is near one. Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Indiana offer online maps that will let you search an address to determine if there’s one in your area. Talk to the seller or developer of your property about the risks in your area or perhaps speak with the county clerk or zoning board for mining location information or episodes of mine subsidence in the local area. Check with your homeowners agent to see if it’s included and if it may be something you should look into obtaining. This could be a really treacherous situation to find yourself in. Doing your homework is essential.

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