Weather-related leaks cost UK homeowners thousands in repairs

According to MoneySuperMarket, escape of water remains the most common home insurance claim in the UK, accounting for around 30% of all claims*.

Escape of water refers to damage caused by a water leak from the property’s mains supply within the building, whether from burst pipes, frozen pipe, or broken appliance. The damage can be extensive and expensive to repair.

Data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reveals that the average claim for weather-related burst pipes exceeded £17,000 in 2023, with insurers settling 12,000 claims. This significant expense highlights the importance of having home insurance to cover such unexpected costs.

With heavy rainfall and arctic winds on the way, homeowners should be taking extra steps to prevent unnecessary damage to their homes. This includes ensuring their pipes are well-insulated and giving your drainage system a good cleaning to minimise the risk of blockages.

Home insurance policies can also differ when it comes to the types of leaks they will cover. Some home insurers may not cover leaks from external pipes or leaks that occur while the property is unoccupied.

For these reasons, it’s important that you read your home insurance policy documents carefully and reach out to your insurance provider if you have any questions about your cover.

And if you haven’t already started taking steps to prevent your pipes from freezing then now is the time to start.

Insulate your pipes:

Insulating pipes that run through unheated parts of the home can help them retain heat and prevent the water within them from freezing.

You can purchase rubber or foam pipe insulation tubes online and from many UK DIY retailers. It’s not usually necessary to call a plumber to install pipe installation but if you’re not able to reach your pipes or if you’re unsure of what kind of insulation you need, check with a professional.

Have your boiler serviced:

A recent MoneySuperMarket energy survey found that around a fifth of UK households aren’t getting their boiler serviced annually, with the cost of servicing being the most common reason for skipping essential maintenance.

But having your boiler serviced can keep your heating working efficiently and potentially save you the thousands of pounds you might need to spend if a frozen pipe bursts in your home.

Turn off your water if you’re going away:

You don’t want water sitting in your pipes for days at a time, so if you’re not planning on being in your home for more than a few days then it may be worth turning your water off at the stopcock – maybe even draining the water in your system.

Clear debris from drains and gutters:

Leaves, twigs, sand and other particles can build up over time and cause blockages that, during heavy rainfall, can overflow and cause water damage to your property.

Ideally, to keep your home insurance cover valid and minimise your risk of blockages, you should set up a routine to regularly clear your gutters and drains. It's especially important to inspect them before heavy rainfall and move away any items that might block ground drains.

For more tips on managing frozen pipes, you can check out our guide to preventing frozen pipes.

^{*Based on MoneySuperMarket customer data. 2024, escape of water claims 30.06% / 2023 28.79%, 2022 27.27%.}