Plumbing and drains insurance cover

Does home insurance cover plumbing and drains?

Whether or not your home insurance covers plumbing and drains depends on the type of policy you have and the nature of the incident. If you already have home insurance, check your policy documents to find out if you’re already covered. Keep in mind that home insurance can come as a buildings insurance policy, contents insurance or a combined policy.

If there’s a flood, contents insurance could help you replace any soft furnishings, electrical devices and other valuables that are damaged or lost.

Buildings insurance, which covers your home’s structure and any permanent fixtures and fittings, is also likely to cover some plumbing and drainage issues.

Cover varies between providers and policies, but your buildings insurance may also include:

• The repair of burst water pipes – this is not the same as cover for damage caused by the leaking water.
• Accidental damage to underground pipes, drains and tanks, also known as underground services.
• Tracing and accessing a leak – finding and fixing a leak if it happens in your house or underground.
• Unblocking or replacing a blocked drain, toilet or sewage pipe. This may depend on the type of blockage though – flush baby wipes down the toilet, for example, and your claim is likely to be rejected.
• Escape of water – water damage caused by flooding due to a burst pipe or blocked drain.
• Alternative accommodation if your home floods and you need to move out. 

It’s also worth noting that your home insurance provider might also offer you access to an emergency helpline with approved tradespeople on call to do the necessary repairs.

This is really valuable because the quicker and more efficiently a drainage or plumbing problem is tackled, the less damage it’s likely to cause. Look for policies that include parts, labour, and callouts.

Finding the right cover for you requires some homework.

Always read the small print of a new or existing home insurance policy. This will help you get a better picture of what is and isn’t covered, and help make sure you don’t pay extra for protection you already have.

What other types of insurance cover plumbing and drains? 

If you aren’t happy with the level of cover provided by standard buildings insurance, there is additional cover you can bolt on to your policy for an additional fee. These include:

• Home emergency cover. This typically includes blocked drains, sinks and toilets, as well as burst pipes. The insurance provider may also organise and pay for an approved tradesperson to do the emergency repairs. As a general rule, the more you pay, the more extensive the cover.
• Extended accidental damage. This provides more comprehensive cover for damage caused by an unforeseen or unintentional event. For example, drilling through a water pipe or a tree root intrusion that blocks a drain. Always check for policy exclusions, as if you’re trying to repair the problem yourself and something goes wrong, any resulting claim is likely to be rejected. You should always hire a reputable, qualified tradesperson.
• Dedicated plumbing and drains cover. Taking out a specialist plumbing and drainage policy could be useful not only in emergencies but also for more minor issues and breakdowns, such as a dripping tap. Unfortunately, we don’t currently offer a price comparison service for standalone plumbing and drains insurance.

How much does plumbing and drainage cover cost?

Adding plumbing and drainage insurance to your existing home insurance policy is normally cheaper than taking out standalone cover. Contact your home insurance provider to see if this possible and how much it’s likely to cost.

Typically, the cost of fixing a leaky pipe is likely to be between £160 and £310, depending on the extent of the damage and how easy it is to access.