ARE SLOW WATER LEAKS COVERED BY HOME INSURANCE?

A water leak is an unwanted escape of water from pipes, fixtures, or other sources. It can cause damage to property and in some cases, even lead to danger. There are many types of water leaks and slow water leaks are one of them.

Slow water leaks are also called hidden leaks since they are often hard to spot. Several instances in a home can result in slow water leaks like dripping faucets, toilet leaks, slow drain leaks, slow leaking pipes, appliance leaks, and others. A slow water leak will become a problem long before it is discovered.

Whether the water leak is big or small it is vital to know where your stopcock is located so you can turn off the water supply to your home, minimising further damage.

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover the following types of water damage:

1. Escape of Water: Describes coverage for damage from burst pipes, leaking appliances, or similar incidents in the UK, including damage to property structure, flooring, walls, and personal belongings.
2. Flood Damage: States that if the insurance company is a member of the Flood Re scheme, flood damage caused by natural disasters or severe weather conditions will be covered.
3. Accidental Damage: Explains that accidental water damage, such as from a burst pipe, is typically covered by most home insurance policies for repair and replacement costs.
4. Trace and Access: Refers to the costs of locating the source of water damage, like removing walls or floorboards, especially when leaking pipes are obstructed without direct access.

Several kinds of water damage are not covered by homeowners' insurance which include:

1. Wear and Tear: States that UK policies typically do not cover water damage from wear and tear, such as an old, corroded pipe bursting.
2. Neglect: Explains that if a homeowner has neglected property maintenance (e.g., plumbing or roof), leading to water damage, it is unlikely to be covered.
3. Gradual Damage: Notes that UK home insurance policies usually exclude coverage for water damage that occurred gradually over time, such as damage from molds or moisture.
4. Sewer Backups: Indicates that damage from sewer backups or sump pump failure may not be included in standard policies but can be added as an optional extra.

Even though the majority of policies do not cover damage brought on by poor maintenance, such as damage from a faucet that you neglected to fix, not all slow leaks are excluded from coverage.

Insurance providers expect homeowners to keep their homes in good condition. Homeowners are therefore responsible for periodically inspecting and, if necessary, fixing various parts of their homes. Failure to do this will result in no protection or reimbursement from your insurance company, leaving the repairs and restoration costs down to you to cover.

For example, you need to check from time to time for leaks under sinks, the bath and around toilets, and inspect pipes for signs of corrosion and have repairs done quickly to avoid excess leakage. You also need to regularly clean out your gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage and ensure proper drainage.

Before filing any water damage claim, it's essential to check policy documents for covered water leak claims, specifically mentioning "trace and access".

We have a complete guide on making a water leak insurance claim.