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Does insurance cover burst pipe repairs?
Due to the fact that one of the main causes of damage in holiday homes is from the escape of water, we get lots of calls from holiday home owners asking if the cost of repairing a leaking pipe is covered under their holiday home policy.
It’s important to point out that insurance for holiday homes is not a maintenance contract and will not pay for damage caused by wear and tear or any other gradually operating cause.
Although we cover water damage from the “escape of water” – fixing a leaking pipe that has deteriorated through wear and tear is a maintenance issue and isn’t covered. This rule applies to most home insurance policies.
However, we do cover frost damage to fixed water tanks, apparatus or pipes.
To cover plumbing expenses for repairing leaking pipes or faulty boilers you need to take out separate home emergency/plumbing cover.
On a related note it is also worth checking if your holiday home buildings insurance policy has a “trace and access” extension which would cover the costs in locating leaks – as these can be substantial if you have to remove tiles, flooring or walls. Note: this is usually subject to a limit.
Likewise, if your roof leaks (even during the heavy rainfall which is happening more frequently in all parts of Europe) due to it not being watertight, then the insurer will not pay for damage to the buildings caused by the ingress of water. It is a requirement that the property is maintained to prevent such damage.
As many of you will be visiting your second homes for the first time this year during the Easter holidays, don’t forget to carry out some simple holiday home maintenance, paying particular attention to gutters and drainaways on patios and yards.
