Home insurance for bathroom mishaps

 

We all know that accidents can happen – and in the bathroom it seems they happen very often, making comprehensive home insurance cover vital.

 

According to research by the AA, in 2008-2009 there was a 450 per cent increase in home insurance claims prompted by home floods caused by frozen pipes and around £40million was lodged for claims for flood-related damage with bathrooms obviously being the room most prone to flooding issues.

 

There are problems too relating to DIY issues with research from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in 2011 revealing that more than 200,000 people in the UK have to go to accident and emergency departments every year due to injuries sustained while making home improvements.

 

While Bathroom Surgery is the place to go to refinish and repair sinks, baths and more, you may need help covering the cost of larger repairs – which is where home insurance comes in.

 

What is home insurance?

 

Typically there are two elements to home insurance – buildings insurance and contents insurance.
Buildings insurance: Protects the structure of a home and its permanent fixtures and fittings. It may also incorporate outbuildings; glass in doors and windows; and underground pipes and cables; against risks such as theft, fires, malicious damage, flooding and subsidence.
Contents insurance: This covers the non-permanent items in your home ranging from furniture and curtains to carpets and clothing. Risks include fire, storms, flooding and theft, and they are usually protected either on a “new for old” basis with the insurer offering a brand new replacement for damaged items; or on a “wear and tear” basis, with a percentage taken off for depreciation. 

 

How does this relate to bathrooms?

 

In order to protect yourself against bathroom damage you’ll need to take out both buildings and contents insurance and be particularly mindful of the terms relating to flooding. Also look out for home emergency cover which can provide cover from a suitable tradesman in case an accident occurs.

 

Usually a home insurance policy will include “exclusions” – circumstances in which you will not be covered. Potential exclusions on a policy include:

 

- Construction: You may not be covered during major renovations so check before work is carried out.

 

- Escape of water: Usually refers to the accidental discharge of water or steam from heating, plumbing or air conditioning but can also include rupture from accidental bursting or cracking.

 

- Negligence: An insurer is unlikely to cover you against damages if it deems you have been negligent such as leaving small problems unrepaired.

 

- Occupancy: You’re unlikely to be covered if you leave your home unoccupied for a period in excess of 30 days (periods vary).

 

- Sewer back-up: This is commonly excluded from home insurance policies.

 

So should you make a claim for all bathroom mishaps?

 

Home insurance is there as a back-up in case you need it, but you should assess the situation carefully before making a claim. In the event of a real home disaster, then yes, home insurance can save the day – however, for relatively minor issues it is sensible to approach a trusted bathroom repairer directly and avoid making a claim.

 

This is because any claim you make is likely to push up your premiums in the future; and you will probably have an excess on your policy that could make a minor claim barely worthwhile financially.

 

How to avoid bathroom mishaps

 

There is one thing better than getting your bathroom repaired cheaply and effectively – and that is avoiding the need to repair your bathroom at all. So here are some tips:

 

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Pay attention to minor problems: Don’t leave dripping taps and other small problems alone. Get them sorted out quickly before they develop into major issues.

 

- Be prepared: Know where to locate a stopcock in case a pipe leaks.

 

- Call on your friends: If you’re going away then get someone to check your property to ensure there are no problems.

 

- Make smart investments: Burst pipes can often be avoided with insulation around the corners and elbows of the pipe-work and by fitting a lagging jacket to your water tank. This has the added advantage of potentially reducing your energy bills too.

 

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