Escape of Water incidents affect three in five HNW property owners

The annual survey of 250 HNW individuals asked whether they had experienced any incidents in their first and second homes over the last five years.

According to Ecclesiastical claims data, escape of water is one of the largest causes of property insurance claims for the specialist insurer, and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reports insurers pay out £1.8million a day as a result.

Ecclesiastical’s research discovered the most common cause of escape of water incidents at primary residences was burst pipes due to freezing (45%), followed by leaks from sanitary fittings i.e. showers, baths, or sinks (37%), blocked drains (27%), and leaks from hot tubs or pools (26%).

For second homes, burst pipes were again the leading cause (43%), but blocked drains (35%) were next, followed by leaks from sanitary fittings (31%), faulty electrical appliances such as air conditioning units (30%), and leaking radiators (29%).

With second homes less likely to be visited regularly, these leaks, if left undetected, can take place over a long period of time and have a significant impact on properties, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The survey asked what the impact of the escape of water incidents was in primary residences and revealed damage to the fabric of the property, for example, carpets, flooring, were most common (44%) followed by damage to personal property (43%) and damage to the structure of the property, for example, walls, ceilings (41%).

In secondary residences, damage to personal property (46%) came out highest, followed by damage to the fabric of the property (35%) and damage to the structure of the property (33%).

Almost a third (33%) said they’d seen their fine art damaged as a result of the leaks, which dropped slightly to a quarter (27%) in secondary homes. Meanwhile, the loss of irreplaceable items, those with an emotional connection rather than any monetary value, was higher in second homes (31%) than in main properties (27%).

We asked how the escape of water incident was identified. More than half (54%) stated they had found physical evidence of water running in their properties, with over a third (36%) noticing stains and a third (33%) being alerted by others with access to the property.

In secondary properties, the appearance of stains was most common (48%), with physical evidence (45%), and being alerted by house sitters or keyholders at 43%.

Three out of five (60%) respondents said they had leak detection systems in place to detect any escape of water incidents. Flow detection systems (59%) were the most commonly installed, followed by humidity sensors (55%), temperature sensors (49%), wet sensor tape (48%), and auto stop (30%).

These devices are designed to detect a water leak in the early stages and raise an alert, which can help property owners respond quickly, which can mean the difference between a small clean-up job and extensive damage and inconvenience.

Joanne State, Operations Manager at Leaksafe, said: “We see the damage that leaks cause all day, every day, and although leak detection systems can’t stop leaks, they act as early warning systems that can dramatically change the outcome of a leak in a property.

“Clients are often concerned that installation of a leak detection system will be destructive or disruptive, but this isn’t the case.

“In most homes installation of a leak detection system is straightforward and completed within a day, are easy to manage and homeowners benefit from the peace of mind that comes with the protection the system provides.”

Ecclesiastical’s risk management team has developed guidance for homeowners to help avoid major losses as a result of escape of water incidents.

• Periodically check your stopcock to ensure it turns on and off easily.
• Have pipework regularly inspected and maintained by an accredited plumber, such as a member of the ‘Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors’ or the ‘Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers’.
• Keep on top of simple maintenance such as changing washers and fixing dripping taps.
• Check water tanks and cylinders for any corrosion and arrange for central heating systems to be maintained annually.
• Lag or fit trace heating to exposed pipework where there is a risk of freezing.
• If the property is going to be vacant for an extended period, consider isolating and draining down the water supply or ensuring heating to the property is maintained (Please note - this may be a condition of your insurance policy).
• Never leave the plug in water basins or baths.
• Install leak detection devices in high-risk areas. These devices will detect a water leak in the earlier stages and raise an alert. They can also be linked to building management systems and may be able to isolate the mains water supply to the property to reduce damage.
• Flow detection devices may also be considered. These monitor the flow of water in the pipework to your property and isolate it if abnormal flow conditions are detected.
• If you have a leak detection system, test all components at least once a year.

Sarah Willoughby, Art and Private Client Business Director at Ecclesiastical, said: “We know escape of water incidents can be really distressing for homeowners. On top of the cost, there is the potential inconvenience of having to relocate to an alternative property while works take place, as well as the emotional toll of losing potentially priceless & sentimental items.

“Even small leaks can lead to significant damage to walls, ceilings, floors, electrics, and contents, especially if they go unnoticed, which can be a real issue in second homes. The most common cause of escape of water tends to be deterioration of the pipework or pipes bursting due to freezing conditions.

“Our claims handlers will be able to support our customers if they are affected by any escape of water incidents. We have a network of specialist contractors we work with to help our customers recover in the event of an incident, providing clean-up operations, drying services, and restoration work. We’re here to help when customers need us.”

More risk management information about water leaks.

Survey of 250 UK HNW individuals with an income of at least £200,000 per annum or liquid assets of at least £1 million carried out between 20 May to 11 June 2025 by BVA BDRC commissioned by Ecclesiastical Insurance.