The cost of burst pipes
Find out the average costs of burst pipes
Escape of water is consistently the most common reason why landlords make an insurance claim across the UK, and over a third of all claims paid out by Total Landlord Insurance are for escape of water.
Defined as ‘when water has entered the property by the mains water supply and caused damage’, escape of water refers to water damage arising from within the property such as leaking pipes or fixed water tanks, baths, sinks or toilets, or a leaking dishwasher or washing machine.
Around three quarters of escape of water claims at Total Landlord are down to a burst pipe.
What’s more, claims arising from a burst pipe have been increasing steadily while other claims involving water have declined sharply.
Even a small pipe fracture can release huge volumes of water if left unchecked, resulting in heavy insurance claims and sometimes £100,000+ repair bills for water damage to buildings, contents, and drying out.
The average claim paid out by Total Landlord between 2019 and 2023 was £2,596. But some claims have reached eye-watering figures. In one case, a slow leak underneath a bath rotted most of the flooring in the landlord’s property, resulting in a pay out of £145,855.
Claims for burst pipes are consistently amongst the highest we receive.
The highest claim we’ve settled in the last three years was in 2020. In this case the tenants arrived back from holiday to find their flat in two inches of water after a water tank had burst.
The water had to be pumped out of the property which took several weeks to dry, with the tenants having to move out while the ground floor was stripped out. The claim was settled at an eyewatering £82,889.
Even landlords who do all they can to maintain and protect their properties cannot eliminate risks entirely, which is why landlord insurance is a must.
But what can landlords do to prevent burst pipes and avoid the hassle of having to make a claim, not to mention the disruption and damage that results from a burst pipe?
Here, we’ll consider the causes of burst pipes, offer our tips for preventing burst pipes in your home, and advise you on what to do if the worst happens.
