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Does home insurance cover a leaking pipe?
The short answer
Yes — sudden escape of water from pipes, tanks or appliances is a standard insured event, and most policies also pay to find the leak (trace and access). The plumbing repair itself, and slow long-term seepage, are usually your cost.
What escape of water covers
Buildings cover pays for damage to the structure — ceilings, plaster, floors, fitted kitchens — when a pipe bursts or a washing machine hose fails. Contents cover pays for ruined furniture, flooring and belongings.
Most policies include 'trace and access': the cost of lifting floors or cutting into walls to find the leak, and making good afterwards. It's usually capped, often around £5,000.
What is usually excluded
The repair to the pipe or appliance itself, unless you hold home emergency cover.
Gradual seepage that has been happening for months, damp and condensation, and damage while the home was left unoccupied beyond the policy limit (commonly 30 or 60 days) without the water being turned off and drained.
Frozen pipe damage may be excluded if you left the heating off during winter — many policies require a minimum temperature to be maintained.
What to do in the first hour
Turn off the stopcock, then take photos and video before you mop up or move anything.
Call the insurer's 24-hour claims line before commissioning repairs; most will appoint their own drying company and may refuse costs you arranged yourself.
Check these on your own policy
- Photos and video before clearing up
- Trace and access limit on your schedule
- Whether you hold home emergency cover for the plumbing repair
- Unoccupancy and winter heating conditions
Common follow-up questions
Will a water leak claim raise my premium?
Escape of water claims are expensive, so they commonly do affect renewal pricing. Small claims close to your excess are often not worth making.
Does it cover drying out and dehumidifiers?
Yes, drying is normally part of the claim when the insurer appoints the contractor.