Hi, I need some advice asap please, as I don't know what to do about this situation. I was at my my moms house the other day and for the first time in about 5 years I opened the door to my old bedroom and as I walked in I noticed a small crack above the wardrobe (top of the wall) and as I took a closer look and moved the wardrobe I noticed a large crack about 5 ft long running all the way down the wall as I looked closely I could actually see through to the outside world! The crack is approx 10mm wide, I went outside and looked at the exterior wall and I noticed the extension is coming away from the top and gap is about 1 " wide and runs about 6-7ft down the side of the joining extension. I have got photos that I can send to you as it would make it more easier for you to understand the problem. What I am worried about is that I renewed my moms buildings insurance in May and I declared that the building was in stable condition, obviously we couldn't see the crack in the wall as it was behind the wardrobe and the crack could have been there for months or years we just don't know! Can I just say that the ceiling is a low ceiling and literally the height of the wardrobe so was merely noticeable. Obviously we would like to go through the insurance, but will they cover us? What do I do next? Any help would be most appreciated has my mom lives on her own and she is now terrified that her whole house is going to fall down! The extension was built in about 1980 and my dads passed away and the person who built the extension as also passed away, so I can't even question anybody about it. I have however found the planning permission for the extension. Many thanks in advance Craig.

This is more of a construction issue rather than insurance. Insurance will not cover, not an accidental occurrence. Looks like extension was not properly tied to the main building or the extension foundation has settled. Need to have a contractor look at it. Possibly do more underpinning and wall tying. 10 mm(3/8") in 33 years is quite a gap but since you have not been in the room for 5 years, we don't know if it has been there that long or recently occurred. I would put some backer rod and caulk and a piece of trim on the outside, retape and mud the inside. It won't collapse, tell mom to sleep well.