Water leaks hit house insurance cover

17th March, 2007

According to new research by a leading home insurance company, the UK suffers a combined bill of £1.8 billion every year because of damage caused by flooding, the majority of which is then claimed back on house insurance cover policies. This subsequently increases the cost of home insurance cover, yet much of the damage could easily be prevented with more care and forward planning around the house.

Halifax Home Insurance has revealed that as many as 3.3 million houses are affected by water leaks every year, with washing machines and showers being the main culprits, accounting for 24 per cent of all incidents. Burst pipes account for a further seven per cent of flooding incidents, but routine maintenance checks could avoid much of these accidents.

However, another major contributor to flooding appears to be the current trend for so-called 'wet rooms'. Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter at Halifax Insurance, explained: "The trend for houses with multiple bathrooms and the current vogue for wet rooms have significantly increased the risk of water leaks and damage in the home."

But she added that modern homes were not the only ones likely to need comprehensive home insurance cover to help protect homeowners from the cost of water damage: "Older properties are vulnerable as a result of corroding pipes, which face increasing strain as Britain endures ever more extreme fluctuations in temperature from global warming."

On average, each incident of water damage costs £560, according to Halifax Home Insurance, proving that failing to take out house insurance cover can be a very costly decision or oversight.

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