What exactly is ‘escape of water’?
‘Escape of water’ essentially means any kind of leak that results in water being where it’s not supposed to be. Leaks are often the result of damage to pipes, but your water tank or an appliance like a fridge could also be the culprit. Leaks can vary in severity, with some of them causing very little disruption. Small leaks can easily be managed with a well-placed bucket until a repair man can come to take a look, while other larger leaks can be devastating. A burst pipe can quickly ruin furniture or dampen your walls, which is when you really need your home insurance to step in.
It’s worth noting that ‘escape of water’ usually refers to internal water sources rather than anything external, such as a flood or bad storm. To have this type of damage taken care of, you will need to check whether your home insurance policy covers natural disasters.
Is a water leak the same as a leaking roof?
Not necessarily. This guide covers escape of water - leaks that start inside your home, from things like pipes, water tanks, washing machines or dishwashers. A leaking roof is a different scenario: water getting in from outside, usually because of storm damage, a slipped tile, or wear and tear on the roof itself.
If your problem is specifically a leak coming through your ceiling or from the roof itself, our roof leaks guide covers how that's assessed, when claims are more likely to be rejected for lack of maintenance, and what to do if it's an emergency. If your leak is coming from your own pipework, a tank or an appliance, keep reading below.
What causes burst pipes and water leaks, and is it covered?
Frozen pipes: usually covered for the damage caused, but not the repair itself, and not if the home was left empty for over 30 days when the leak started.
High water pressure: likely covered, if the pipe burst as a direct result.
Corrosion or ageing pipes: not usually covered - treated as wear and tear.
Poor installation: depends on the cause - may not be covered if installation defects caused the burst.
Clogs and blockages: usually covered, as long as the blockage isn't down to poor maintenance.
In general, home insurance covers the damage the leak causes - not the cost of fixing the pipe or leak itself. For that, you may need home emergency cover.
What isn't covered by escape of water insurance?
Most policies won't pay out in every leak scenario. Common exclusions include:
Damage that happened while your home was left unoccupied for an extended period, unless you've told your insurer and arranged the right cover
Leaks caused by a lack of maintenance, such as corroded or worn pipework you could reasonably have been expected to fix
Leaks that only cause accidental damage, such as a dropped tool cracking a pipe - this typically needs accidental damage cover rather than standard escape of water cover
An overflowing bath, sink or appliance left unattended, which some insurers treat differently from a genuine escape of water
Damage caused by blocked or uncleared guttering, which is generally considered routine home maintenance
Always check your own policy wording, as exclusions vary between insurers.
What if my leak is a genuine emergency?
If water is actively flooding into your home and you need urgent help, this may be better handled under home emergency cover rather than a standard claim - many policies give you access to a 24-hour helpline and a tradesperson dispatched the same day for genuine emergencies like a burst pipe.
How to make a successful water leak insurance claim
For the best chance of securing a payment from your home insurance provider, you’ll need to act quickly and follow these steps carefully:
Emergency damage control
The first thing you need to do when you spot a leak is to take control of the situation. As mentioned above, this could be doing something as simple as placing a bucket under the leak or laying down some towels. However, if your leak is serious and causing a lot of damage, you may need to turn off your home’s water supply via a central stopcock. If you’re worried about the water getting into any electrical appliances or wiring, you should also unplug devices or turn off your electricity completely.
However, sometimes leaks aren’t obvious and it can be difficult to minimise their impact without having a specialist take a look. For example, if you’re noticing damp appearing across your walls, you may have a slow leak hidden somewhere in your home. In this case, you’ll need to call a professional as soon as you can to help you take back control.
Collect evidence
Once you’ve taken steps to control your leak as much as you can, it’s time to put together a case for your insurance provider. The best way to do this is to take pictures and videos of your leak and any damage it has caused. Make sure you document damage to walls and floors as well as furniture and appliances. You may also need to keep taking photos as the leak progresses or after it has stopped, as mould can sometimes appear days later if your home is damp. Having photos of your home before the leak happened will also help to further your case.
Another type of evidence you may want to present are reports from professionals such as plumbers or builders. If you had to call someone to identify the cause of your leak, ask them for an official write-up on the problem to present to your insurer.
Get in touch with your home insurance provider
Your home insurance provider needs to know about the leak as soon as you’ve gathered enough evidence to show them what’s happened. Rather than waiting until after the issue has been resolved, you should get in touch while the issue is ongoing to maximise your chances of receiving a payout. Read your policy documents carefully, as some home insurers may require you to consult them before booking extensive repairs or investigations. Booking a service that your home insurer doesn’t deem necessary can negate your claim and leave you with a hefty bill to foot yourself.
Trace and access investigation
It’s really important to book a professional trace and access investigation when you don’t know exactly where your leak is coming from. While it can be tempting to look into the problem yourself, leaks can be really hard to pin down and you may end up causing more harm by trying to reach the pipes you think are the problem. Water travels easily, so sometimes leaks originate in completely separate rooms from where the damage occurred.
A professional trace and access investigation will use techniques like thermal imaging and moisture surveys to assess where your leak is coming from. Most of their methods won’t be invasive, so your house can remain largely untouched until the leak is located.
Accommodate your loss adjuster
Many home insurance companies will send a loss adjuster to your home to assess how much your claim is likely to cost. It’s important to cooperate with your loss adjuster, as they’ll be the person collecting all the evidence to support your case. Make sure you provide them with as much information as you can and remember that they’re not trying to trick you. While loss adjusters are usually sent by your insurance company, they don’t work for them directly, so their only interest is in making a fair assessment of the damage in your home.
Source repair quotes
More often than not, your home insurance provider will find a tradesman to complete the repairs on your home, but remember that you may have the option to find your own professional. Make sure you take some time to compare quotes and read reviews before making your final decision.
This part of the process will be referred to as reinstatement in your insurance terms and conditions. You’ll want to look out for any conditions your insurer has for the timeframe the work needs to be completed in and whether you will need to pay for the repairs or whether this transaction will be handled entirely by your provider.
What should I do if my pipes are frozen?
Turn off your stopcock if you suspect a pipe has already burst, even if you can't see water yet
Let a frozen tap drip slightly if it's still running, to relieve pressure building up inside the pipe
Never use a naked flame or pour boiling water directly onto a frozen pipe - the sudden temperature change can crack it. A hairdryer on a low setting, or towels soaked in warm water, are safer ways to thaw it gradually
Open loft hatches and cupboard doors under sinks in cold weather, so warm air can reach exposed pipework
If a pipe does burst, follow the emergency damage control steps above and contact your insurer as soon as it's safe to do so
How to prevent burst pipes and water leaks
Insulate your pipes, especially in cold spots like the loft or basement
Keep your home heated during cold spells, even if you're away
Let taps drip slightly during freezing weather to keep water moving
Know where your stopcock is, so you can act fast in an emergency
Check pipe joints and taps regularly as part of routine maintenance
Water damage insurance claim tips
To summarise, for the best chance of filing a successful water damage claim, you need to:
Act fast! Get your leak under control as soon as possible
Gather evidence and take lots of photos of any damage
Call your home insurance provider to let them know what’s going on
Identify the leak with a trace and access investigation
Allow a loss adjuster to assess the damage
Book your repairs and get ready to get back to normal
Claiming on house insurance for water leak damage the easy way
There are lots of different ways you could approach water leak damage, but the guide above is the easiest way to fast-track your return to normal life. Not only do these steps help you to minimise water damage in your home, but they also give you the best chance at securing a payout from your home insurance provider. Learn more about home insurance or get a quote for a new policy by getting in touch with our team here at Money Expert. We can help you better understand what home insurance could offer you or support you in your journey to find the right home insurance for your needs.
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Why Money Expert?
Money Expert has been helping UK customers compare and save on insurance since 2003. We connect you with a broker who can help you find the right home insurance policy - including cover for escape of water and burst pipe damage - from a panel of trusted UK insurers.
Water leak damage and home insurance FAQs
Does home insurance cover the cost of fixing the leaking pipe itself?
No - standard home insurance covers the damage a leak causes, not the cost of repairing the pipe or leak itself. For that, you may need home emergency cover.
Will my claim be rejected if my pipes burst due to wear and tear?
Likely yes - corrosion and ageing pipes are usually treated as wear and tear, which most policies exclude. Regular maintenance checks can help you catch issues before they cause a claim-worthy leak.
What causes burst pipes?
Burst pipes are most often caused by water freezing and expanding inside a pipe during cold weather, which can crack it from the inside. Old, corroded pipework and consistently high water pressure can also weaken pipes over time, making them more likely to fail.
What's the difference between a flood and an escape of water claim?
An escape of water claim covers leaks from an internal source, such as a burst pipe, water tank or appliance. A flood claim covers water damage from an external cause, such as heavy rain, a burst river bank or a storm. Your policy may treat these differently, so check both sections of your terms and conditions if you're not sure which applies.
Why is the excess higher for escape of water claims?
Some insurers set a higher excess for escape of water claims than for other types of home insurance claim. This is generally because these claims are relatively common and can be expensive to put right, particularly where water has spread before it's noticed, so insurers price the risk accordingly.
Is a leaking roof the same as an escape of water claim?
No. A leaking roof is usually treated as separate from escape of water, since the water is coming from outside rather than from your own pipework or appliances. See our roof leaks guide for how that's assessed and when a claim is more likely to be accepted.