Case 3: Massive Foundation Cracks

Violations

Case Description (EN)

The Claimant discovered massive cracks in the house's foundation — visible structural damage threatening the entire building's integrity. The case was reported to Gjensidige under the title insurance policy.

Gjensidige's Handling

Gjensidige sent an assessor from Sedgwick for inspection. The assessor's report acknowledged the damage but downplayed its severity. Gjensidige rejected coverage.

The critical issue: The same assessor (from Sedgwick) was used for Case 3, Case 4, Case 5, and Case 6 — all concerning the same house and all physically connected in the same 2×3 meter area. Gjensidige insisted on treating them as separate, independent cases, even though the assessor was instructed NOT to investigate cross-case connections.

Legal Escalation

The case is now a full court case. The Claimant has engaged lawyers and independent building experts, including geographical analysis, structural engineering calculations, and independent building assessor consultation.

All communication now goes through the Claimant's lawyers.

Key Issues

1. Cross-case fragmentation: Gjensidige deliberately splits physically connected damages into separate cases to handle them in isolation
2. Assessor conflict of interest: Same assessor across 4 connected cases — instructed NOT to see them in context
3. Delayed processing: Gjensidige's response times were unreasonably long
4. Physical connection ignored: All 4 cases (Cases 3-6) concern damage in the same 2×3 meter area

Outcome

Under court proceedings. Claimant has engaged lawyers and experts. Nothing paid.

Photo Evidence

69 images document the damage in this case.

Foundation crack #1 — massive crack in the basement foundation

Foundation crack #2 — clear structural damage

Foundation crack #3 — crack extends through entire wall

Foundation crack #4 — visible displacement in masonry

Foundation crack #5 — documents the extent of damage

Moisture measurement taken along basement wall — engineering report

Moisture measurement on basement wall — elevated moisture values registered

Close-up of structural crack in basement wall

Construction condition exposed in the basement

Room under inspection in the basement

Exposed construction in the basement

Bathroom with visible damage (20.09.2024 kl. 11:31)

Moisture meter reading at the basement

Screen image shown as documentation (20.09.2024 kl. 11:33)

Moisture measurement — meter held against the basement

Digital moisture meter used at the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:34)

Moisture measurement taken in the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:34)

Reading of moisture level in the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:35)

Moisture meter documenting condition of the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:35)

Visible hole in the basement — documentation

Moisture content checked at the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:36)

Close-up of moisture meter at the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:36)

Inspection of the basement

Moisture meter display showing value at the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:37)

Moisture reading taken at the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:37)

Moisture meter showing elevated levels at the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:37)

Floor condition in the basement

Photo documentation shown on screen (20.09.2024 kl. 11:41)

Wall condition in the basement

Ceiling construction in the basement

Through-going hole in the basement

Wall surface with damage in the basement

Wall with visible damage in the basement

Hole and damage in the basement

Condition documentation — the basement

Wall condition in the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:43)

Hole in the basement

Wall surface with damage in the basement (20.09.2024 kl. 11:44)

Condition documentation in the exterior wall

Visible hole in the exterior wall — documentation

Wall with visible damage in the exterior wall

Crack visible in the exterior wall

Inspection of the exterior wall

Damaged window — documentation of damage

Bathroom floor with damage (27.09.2025 kl. 10:47)

Condition documentation — the exterior wall

Documented crack in the exterior wall

Floor condition documented in the exterior wall

Through-going hole in the exterior wall

Digital damage documentation shown on device — case 3 (foundation)

Documented moisture measurement at the basement — case 3 (foundation)

Condition documentation in the inspection area (29.06.2025 kl. 19:06)

Inspection of the inspection area (29.06.2025 kl. 19:06)

Floor with visible damage in the floor (29.06.2025 kl. 19:06)

Piping and installations in the inspection area

Condition documentation — the inspection area (29.06.2025 kl. 19:09)

Hole and damage in the inspection area

Pipes and drainage documented in the inspection area

Floor condition in the inspection area

Exposed timber structure in the ceiling

Overview of room in the inspection area

Moisture meter reading at the basement — case 3 (foundation)

Hole in the wall (26.06.2024 kl. 21:22)

Uncovered building materials in the inspection area (28.06.2024 kl. 14:48)

Pipe installation in the wall — condition documentation

Removed construction parts in the inspection area

Documentation associated with the inspection

Floor condition documented in the inspection area

Drain pipe visible in the floor