Your home insurance policy should cover you for any damage caused by an escape of water from a fixed water installation. The policy will not normally cover you for the repair to the leak or installation itself unless you have home emergency cover but it should cover you for the resultant water damage to your property and contents. Examples of fixed water installations are: bath, shower, toilet, sink, washing machine, dishwasher, radiator, water tanks and pipework.
Cover is not limited to an escape of water in your own property. For example, if you live in an apartment block and your neighbour above has a leak, you should be able to claim under your own policy or "block insurance" where relevant.
In addition, you may not realise that most household insurance policies also have a “Trace and Access” clause under the escape of water peril which covers locating the source of the leak.
These types of claims can range from minor damage to carpets or ceilings, to extensive structural damage if the leak has gone unnoticed for a long period of time. A common example of unnoticed water damage is when storm and sewerage drains leak and overtime this can lead to subsidence of the property foundation.
Contact us to discuss what is covered by your policy and if you have a claim, we will seek to secure the maximum settlement amount for you. In addition, if you require a building contractor or tradesman to carry out any reinstatement works, we have a panel of trusted contractors who we can recommend to you.