Escape of water home claims – a quarter occur in summer

Our claims data shows that a quarter (25%) of escape of water claims, such as leaks and burst pipes, occur between July and September.¹

This data highlights a rise in escape of water incidents between 2024 and 2025, with claim costs averaging at £8,595² in 2025. While claims typically peak in January, often driven by colder weather causing pipes to freeze, July recorded the second highest number of escape of water claims in 2025.²

Escape of water claims can include

• Leaks from appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers
• Overflowing or leaking water storage tanks, expansion tanks, hot water heaters and cylinders
• Failures in toilets, cisterns, baths and fixed shower units
• Leaks from fixed central heating or underfloor heating systems

Tips to help your personal lines customers prevent escape of water this summer

• Turn off mains water before going away - Heading off on holiday? Shutting off the water supply can prevent a small leak turning into major damage while nobody’s home.
• Check appliances before leaving - Inspect washing machines, dishwashers and fridge freezers for any signs of leaks or worn hoses.
• Keep an eye out for slow leaks - Dripping taps, damp patches or musty smells can all be early warning signs. It’s important to act quickly to prevent any long-term and potentially costly damage.
• Don’t ignore outdoor risks - Garden hoses, pools and irrigation systems can also leak or burst in warm weather – it’s best to turn off water supplies and empty pools when not in use.
• Ask someone to check their home - If they're away for a longer period, a neighbour or friend can help to spot issues early and prevent any damage. Most policies limit how long a property can be left empty (often no more than 60 days). If they plan to be away longer, it’s important the insurer is notified.
• Know how to switch off the water - Make sure everyone in the household knows where the stop tap is and how to turn it off in an emergency.
• Keep the property well maintained - Regularly servicing plumbing and replacing ageing pipework or connectors can reduce the risk of sudden failures. If unsure, a professional should be contacted before any work is carried out by themselves.
• Check the policy - If your personal lines customer has a sudden leak, the insurer will typically cover the cost of finding and accessing the source and putting things back once it’s fixed. However, repairs to the faulty pipe or appliance itself may not be covered if it’s simply worn out. As cover can vary, it’s important your clients know what is and isn’t covered with their policy.

What they should do if water escapes:

1. Turn off the main water supply straight away.
2. Make sure the area is safe by switching off any electricity nearby.
3. Keep the area well-ventilated and dry it as much as possible. Take photos as evidence for the insurer.
4. Contact a plumber and then the broker/insurer. Make sure they’ve got their policy details to hand.
    

_{¹Aviva home claims data from 2022-2025}

_{²Aviva home claims data 2025}