If you don’t know the exact location of the leak, or if it’s concealed in any way, you’re going to need a trace and access investigation from a leak detection expert. When you contact your insurer, they’ll probably send you a link or email so you can submit the evidence you’ve taken. Whether you make a claim online or by phone, you may want to have your policy number ready, along with a list of any damaged possessions. Now’s the time to let your insurance firm know what’s happened. Right, damage to a wall from the same leak. A plumber should supply you with a report in case of a burst pipe.īelow: The left image shows water damage to a ceiling. You can then take more pictures as the problem gets worse, essentially using them as ‘before and after’ shots.Ī leak detection expert will provide a detailed report that strongly supports your water damage claim. If you have a smaller leak, take photos as soon as possible. This includes household items, so you can claim on your contents insurance. Take photos of walls or ceilings, along with anything else that may have been damaged. Record evidence for your insurance firmĬollecting proof is an important part of the claims process, and the more persuasive it is, the higher the chance of success. This rule applies to all mystery leaks, no matter how big or small you believe them to be. Even if you think you have a slow escape of water, get the issue investigated and fixed as early as possible. Some pipe faults can be so small that they open and close with a change in temperature. Most leaks don’t result in lots of water escaping quickly. You should also turn off the electrics if the leak is bad enough. If you don’t know where your internal stopcock is or have trouble getting access, you can turn off the water supply by closing the mains stopcock outside your property. If water’s pouring in, such as through a burst pipe, the first thing you should do is switch off your internal stopcock (or stop valve), then run your taps to drain the system. Insurers expect you to do everything you can to limit the damage this is called mitigation. Here’s our rundown of what you should do: 1. Also note that if you get a leak fixed without telling them (to protect your no-claims bonus), they can refuse to pay if the leak comes back in the future. The older the damage looks, the less likely it is that your insurer will pay for it. That’s why you should never ignore the visible signs of moisture. In either case, a water leak can prove more destructive, and more expensive, than you first think. The evidence isn’t always this obvious though, and you may only suspect a leak once you notice a growing dark patch of moisture on the ceiling or wall. If water’s dripping from your ceiling or wall, you’ll immediately know there’s a leak. What to do when you notice a leak in your home The most commonly affected spaces are the kitchen and bathroom, but because concealed pipes run throughout the home, a leak could damage any part of your property. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), one in four household insurance claims are for the escape of water, and over 80% of those happen because of burst or leaking pipes. The ‘escape of water’ is a term insurers use for leaks that come from inside the property think water from a leaking pipe, appliance, tank or heating system. You’ll also make fewer mistakes if a leak happens, meaning a stronger case that your insurance firm will find hard to challenge. By following the advice below, you’ll understand how to make a successful water leak insurance claim. It can be confusing, and your claim might be refused if you fail to act quickly enough. Most home insurance policies cover the cost of finding and repairing a leak, but only if you follow a certain process.
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