Bathroom Flooding and Home Insurance Claims

Bathroom flooding and home insurance claims

The winter of 2008-2009 saw a 450 per cent surge in home insurance claims for home floods caused by frozen pipes with the AA estimating that homeowners lodged more than £40million in claims nationwide to cover damage such as collapsed ceilings and ruined carpets.

One of the rooms most prone to flood related damage is the bathroom – so how can you ensure you have suitable protection in place in case the worst happens?

What is covered by a home insurance policy?

According to the Association of British Insurers, ‘escape of water’, which includes burst domestic pipes, broken valves and joints, blocked drains and taps that are left running, was responsible for around £80million in claims during 2007. However, instances of these claims have risen rapidly and during the first six weeks of 2009 alone, claims for ‘escape of water’ reached an estimated £40million.

Broadly, ‘escape of water’ refers to the accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from plumbing, heating or air conditioning systems. It can also cover ‘rupture’, which is when damage is caused by sudden and accidental bursting, cracking, burning, tearing apart or cracking of a system due to the pressure of, or lack of water or steam. When searching for a home insurance policy, it’s important to pay close attention to the terms and conditions that apply to this cover as there may be caveats and exclusions.

Some instances in which bathroom flooding may not be covered include:

• If the home is vacant: Most insurance policies will not pay out for escape of water claims if your home has been vacant for a period of 30 days or more (periods vary). Ensure you inform your insurer if your property is vacant for a prolonged period.

• If the home is under construction: Most properties are not covered while under construction. 

• Seepage: Damage can occur from cracks in floors or walls. It is generally the owner’s responsibility to remedy these issues to prevent losses. 

• Repeated leaks: Problems that occur due to faulty pipes or systems that have not been installed or maintained properly may not be covered. 

• Sewer back-up: Depending on the policy you choose, sewer back-up problems may or may not be covered. 

• Corrosion/deterioration: It is the property owner’s responsibility to deal with rust, corrosion or deterioration – failure to do so may lead to a home insurance claim being denied.

It’s also worth looking for home emergency cover – which is generally offered as an optional extra on home insurance policies. For an additional premium this provides a 24hr helpline and assistance covering many household emergencies including burst pipes.

What to do if a bathroom flood occurs

If a bathroom flood occurs, contact your insurer as soon as possible and ask it for advice. If you have home emergency cover then use the helpline to get an immediate call-out.

Your insurer will usually send out a claims form with questions such as ‘what was the cause of the leak?’; ‘has it been repaired?’; ‘are the electrics affected?’; and ‘are the premises habitable?”. You may also be asked to specify damage in each room, with an estimate of the costs and to list any destroyed contents including their original cost and the amount you wish to claim. You can help a claim run smoothly by holding on to receipts and by taking pictures of any damaged items – do not be tempted to throw them away as a loss adjustor may wish to assess them.

How to avoid a home insurance claim

Home insurance is there to provide a safety net in case the worst happens – but ideally you should take steps to avoid a claim being necessary in the first place.

Here is a list of actions that could help prevent bathroom flooding:

• Insulate pipes – Both external and internal if they are prone to freezing. Pay attention to the corners and elbows of pipework as these are often the most exposed.

• Know where to find your stopcock – Use it to cut off the flow of water when a pipe starts leaking.

• Fix dripping taps – Do this as soon as possible to prevent a more serious escape of water.

• Insulate your water tank – Particularly if you feel it may be at risk of freezing during the winter.

If you’re away from home – Ask someone to check your property regularly so that any problems with burst pipes are spotted as quickly as possible.