What is 'sudden escape of water'?

'Escape of water' is simply the insurance industry's name for water getting out of where it should be inside your home - a burst or leaking pipe, an overflowing tank or cistern, or a failed appliance like a dishwasher or washing machine. It is one of the most frequent home insurance claims in the UK, and most policies list it as a standard covered peril under both buildings and contents cover.

The word 'sudden' is doing a lot of work. Cover is aimed at events that happen quickly and without warning - a pipe splitting, a hose bursting, a tank suddenly failing. Because these are unforeseen accidents, they fit what insurance is designed to protect against, and the resulting damage to your structure and belongings is normally covered.

It helps to know that escape of water is different from flood. Escape of water is an internal problem - water from your own plumbing or appliances. Flood is external - water coming in from outside, such as a river or surface water. They sit in separate sections of your policy, and mixing them up can lead to claiming under the wrong heading.

Insurers often treat escape of water claims a little differently from other perils. It is common for policies to apply a higher excess for escape of water - frequently somewhere around £250 to £500, though this varies - because these claims are so common. Your policy schedule will show the exact figure, so it is worth checking before you claim.

Because escape of water can cause extensive hidden damage - under floors, inside walls, behind units - the full cost is not always obvious at first. If you want to be sure a settlement reflects the true extent of the damage, our escape of water claim guidance explains what to look for.

Related questions

This is general information about UK home insurance claims, not financial or policy-specific advice. Always check your own policy wording.