Is plumbing covered by home insurance?

Does home insurance cover plumbing?

According to WaterSafe, standard buildings and contents insurance policies often don't cover the repair of plumbing and drainage issues like leaking pipes or unblocking drains.

Usually, home insurance policies will only cover the damage caused by a plumbing problem, which is often referred to as 'escape of water'.

For example, if a leaking pipe upstairs damaged your downstairs ceiling, then your insurance is likely to cover costs to fix the ceiling but often won't cover the costs of the parts and labour for a plumber to fix the leaking pipe.

Which plumbing problems are covered by home insurance?

Home insurance is split into buildings and contents insurance, and they both cover you for a sudden escape of water in different ways:

• Buildings insurance: Covers structural damage to walls, ceilings and floors
• Contents insurance: Covers water damage to possessions, like furniture, appliances or clothing

Here's a list of what's typically excluded. Remember, your home insurance policy will be unique, so this is just a guide:

• Plumbing repairs: As mentioned above, standard policies often won't cover the cost of repairing a plumbing problem.
• Wear and tear: If the insurer finds that a pipe has burst or leaked due to poor maintenance or wear and tear, they may not pay for any damage caused by escape of water.
• Poor maintenance: If you allow a smaller issue to get worse before claiming or ignore regular upkeep, your insurer may view the damage as preventable rather than sudden and unexpected, which could mean your claim won't be covered.
• Pre-existing faults: Insurers ask about any pre-existing issues with your home before you take out the policy. Most providers won’t accept claims related to these issues.

Expert tip: Check your policy! The above list is based on common themes found across basic home insurance policies. Every home insurance provider is different and it's important to check your policy information to see what you're personally covered for.

Are underground pipes covered by home insurance?

There are usually two types of water pipes running under your home:

• Your water supply pipe, which feeds your home fresh water from the mains.
• Underground drains, which carry wastewater away from your home and to the sewers.

A standard home insurance policy generally covers your underground pipes against accidental damage, if that’s included in your policy. For instance: 

• If they have been broken accidentally by building or garden work
• Tree root intrusion in some cases (when a tree root collapses a section of the pipe) 
• Damage due to subsidence. Most buildings insurance policies will cover the cost of repairs if subsidence leads to a crack or break in the pipe.

When are underground pipes not covered by home insurance?

• Gradual damage/wear and tear: These pipes will naturally corrode over time and if this has caused the problem, the insurer may not pay out.
• Improper use: Avoidable blockages to underground drains, like flushing baby wipes down the loo or pouring fat down the sink.
• Shared drains: Shared drains are often the responsibility of your water company.

According to Defaqto, 93% of buildings insurance policies do include some level of cover for pipes as standard, but it's important to check when a claim is likely to be accepted i.e. Will you be covered for accidental damage and are there any restrictions? 

With HomeServe Plumbing and Drainage cover, you can take the stress out of underground blockages and pipe leaks. Our policies cover wear and tear, accidental damage and have a claims limit of £8,000 per claim.

Are blocked drains covered by home insurance?

Whether blocked drains are covered by home insurance often depends on what caused the blockage. Similarly to how standard insurance works for underground pipes, blocked drains may be covered if the blockage is sudden or accidental.

For example, if a drain collapses due to tree root intrusion, you may be covered, while damage caused by wear and tear or misuse is usually excluded.

Keep in mind some of the common reasons behind blocked drains so you can avoid any drainage issues that might not be covered.

What to consider when looking at additional plumbing cover

While getting additional cover for plumbing and drainage might not be for everyone, it can help plug the potential gaps in your home insurance policy. Here's what to consider when thinking about picking up extra cover:

• Your current home insurance policy: Check what you’re already covered for before getting extra cover to avoid paying for something you don’t need.
• Home emergency cover add-ons: If you already have a home emergency cover add-on included in your policy, double check the inclusions, exclusions and claims limit to make sure they meet your needs. Some policies may have certain restrictions i.e. 
• The problem you claim for may have to be classed as an emergency i.e. Causing serious damage or leaving you without utilities like water or heating. 
• Some policies might only cover a temporary repair instead of a full fix, so make sure to check your details!  
• Do you live in an older property? They can be prone to wear and tear, which standard home insurance often excludes but may be included in plumbing and drainage cover.

Home Insurance and HomeServe cover: What's the difference?

With HomeServe's Plumbing and Drainage cover you can get access to a plumber when things go wrong. It helps you deal with the source of the plumbing problem, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Standard home insurance helps cover the cost of any damage the plumbing problem might have caused, so both have their uses.

Plumbing cover you can count on

Be prepared for plumbing and drainage issues around the home with HomeServe Plumbing and Drainage cover.  

From the big repairs like serious leaks, to blockages and dripping taps, our plumbers can get you back up and running for £30 excess for each new problem.