Claiming on insurance for leaking shower (2024)

Fighter1986 Posts: 834 Forumite

5 June 2020 at 1:43PM

You can claim for the water damage that the leak resulted in but not for the repair work for the shower itself. An item becoming faulty or requiring maintenance is not covered by insurance, but water damage is - as long as the cause was repaired as soon as you became aware of it.

If you'd wilfully allowed the leak to go on for a sustained period of time, that isn't likely to be covered either.

You can send in pictures of what the water caused damageto if you think this is a valid claim.

What was the extent of the damage?

PenguinForever Posts: 37 Forumite

5 June 2020 at 1:47PM

Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite

5 June 2020 at 10:42PM

csgohan4 Posts: 10,587 Forumite

6 June 2020 at 12:15PM

If damage has happened over time, it may not be covered, but depends on your T+Cs for leak trace and repair.

Any claim will usually lead to high insurance premiums for the next few years, even if you didn't claim in the end and only notified the insurer

"It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP

6 June 2020 at 12:44PM

PenguinForever said:

Thanks so much for the clarity. I really appreciate it. The damage was not too much to be fair, but water damage on walls and part of the ceiling needs replacing. Biggest cost will be ripping out shower and almost ‘starting again’

You need to read your policy carefully.

• It might cover damage caused to the building by the escaping water (i.e. walls, ceilings)
• It might cover 'tracing and access' - the cost of removing and replacing any parts of the building necessary to find the leak.
• It won't cover the cost of fixing / replacing / installing the shower or any plumbing work

When you take into account the excess you'll have to pay, and the future premium increases that you'll have to pay - it may not be worth claiming.

As others say, even if you don't claim, it sounds like you've told your insurers about this 'loss incident', so that might be recorded and increase future premiums anyway.

mark55man Posts: 7,926 Forumite

6 June 2020 at 5:45PM

I had this happen to me 5 years ago. It's only just off the books. They made me claim for two incidents as the water had leaked in two spaces one was not visible and only discovered during the repairing. At one point I had a £4000 pound excess and the cost of insurance had doubled.

That said, I was still marginally better off claiming, and if they are going to ramp you up anyway then get as good a job as possible. Do read the T&C carefully, I was allowed to claim for re-installation of the shower as it had to be removed to get to the leak.