Escape of water claim: what's covered and how to maximise it

'Escape of water' is the insurance term for damage from an internal leak — pipes, tanks, heating or appliances. It's covered by most home policies, but carries a higher excess and is where settlements are most often too low.

What "escape of water" means

Escape of water is damage caused by water getting out of something inside your home — a burst pipe, a leaking joint, an overflowing tank, a failed washing machine or dishwasher, or a central-heating leak. It is the insurance industry's own term, and it is one of the most common home claims there is.

It is not the same as flooding, which is water coming in from outside — rivers, surface water, or storms. That distinction decides which part of your policy responds.

Sudden vs gradual — the exclusion that catches people out

A sudden escape of water is covered. A gradualleak that you could have spotted and fixed — a slowly failing shower seal, a weeping joint left for months — is usually excluded as "wear and tear". This is the single most common reason escape-of-water claims are reduced or refused.

The higher excess — and why

Because escape of water is so frequent and costly, insurers often set a higher compulsory excess for it, commonly £250 to £500. That is worth factoring in, but it rarely makes a real claim not worth pursuing — the damage usually runs well beyond it.

Trace and access explained

You can often claim trace and access: the cost of physically finding a hidden leak — lifting floors, opening walls — and putting everything back afterwards. Many settlements quietly leave this out, so check it is included.

Getting a fair settlement

A full escape-of-water settlement covers buildings, contents, trace and access, and alternative accommodation if your home is uninhabitable. If your offer looks low or the claim has been refused, it can be challenged — and on larger claims a loss assessor working for you can renegotiate it.

Common questions