Last updated: 02 November 2025
Escape of Water Claims
Escape of water is one of the most common — and disruptive — home insurance claims. It covers water that has escaped from a fixed installation in your home: pipes, tanks, radiators, central heating systems, or appliances that are plumbed in. Think burst pipes in a freeze, a split radiator valve, or a failed feed to the washing machine.
First steps: make things safe and limit the damage
- Turn off the stopcock to cut the water supply.
- Switch off electricity in affected areas if water is near sockets or lights.
- Move belongings out of harm’s way and start gentle ventilation.
What insurers mean by “escape of water”
Policies typically cover sudden, unforeseen escapes from fixed installations. They don’t usually cover gradual leaks or damp. Some policies exclude damage if the home was unoccupied or unheated during a freeze.
Evidence that helps your claim
- Photos and video of the source and affected rooms.
- A timeline of discovery, make-safe, and attendance.
- Receipts/quotes for emergency works and drying equipment.
Emergency works vs reinstatement
- Make-safe and strip-out — isolate the leak and remove soaked materials.
- Reinstatement — repairs and decoration once dry.
Trace and Access (T&A)
Cover for locating and accessing the source of a hidden leak, and making good the access holes. It’s separate from repairing the faulty pipe. Limits vary; see Trace & Access.
Drying and secondary damage
Expect dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture checks. Watch for swollen joinery, cupped floors, blistered paint, and mould — report early.
Contents and buildings
Buildings covers fixed parts of the home; contents covers belongings. Photograph everything and list items clearly.
Common grey areas
- Gradual vs sudden: tiny drips over months may be excluded.
- Unoccupied homes: winter heating requirements may apply.
- Matching items: retiling undamaged areas depends on your wording.
Step-by-step
- Stop the leak and make safe.
- Call your insurer and get a claim reference.
- Record damage room by room.
- Allow drying and monitoring.
- Agree reinstatement in writing.
Key takeaway
Act fast, document well, and separate the tasks: stop, dry, restore. Check your Trace & Access limit early.