What Is Water Supply Pipe Insurance?

The water supply pipe is an external pipe that connects your home to the main water supply. Problems with this pipe can leave your home without water and it’s, therefore, a good idea to have insurance cover if you are responsible for this section of plumbing.

To find building insurance quotes which offer you the coverage you need, try Quotezone’s independent comparison tool and find building insurance policies that can cover your water supply pipes.

Does building insurance cover my water supply pipe?

No, not always, and if your building insurance doesn’t provide cover you may wish to consider looking at additional water pipe insurance.

If you own a property and the water supply pipe passes through your grounds or garden,  you will have either sole or joint legal responsibility for that water supply pipe (depending on how many properties are served by the same supply pipe).

If you or you and your neighbours served by the same pipe have no front garden, you may not have any legal responsibility for the water supply pipe – because it doesn’t pass through the land you own.

Building insurance tends to cover water pipes that you have legal responsibility for and therefore if you’re a homeowner you should be able to find a policy which offers you this cover.

Do I need separate water pipe insurance?

Homeowners and landlords can take out this insurance if they feel their building or contents insurance doesn’t offer sufficient cover for the pipes in or on their property – including the water supply pipe.

Sometimes the wording on a building insurance policy indicates that water escapes originating outside the home, which aren’t causing damage to the interior of the home or its contents, will be counted as an exclusion.  This could mean damage to your water supply pipe won’t be covered by your building insurance if it isn’t affecting the interior of your property.

If you have no front garden, live in a block of flats, in council housing, or rent from a private landlord insurance cover aimed at the water supply pipe is neither suitable nor needed.

Can you get burst pipe insurance for your water supply pipe?

Yes, there are many insurance companies who offer cheap water supply insurance which covers burst pipes and leakages, but you should always check whether it’s necessary since some building insurance policies will cover burst water supply pipes.

Do you need mains water supply insurance?

Your mains water supply is dealt with by the company that supplies your water and they have legal responsibility for the pipes leading either up to your water supply pipe or to your property if you have no front garden. 

The water company must deal with any damage to the mains water supply and therefore your insurance does not need to cover the mains supply.  In fact, you are entitled to financial compensation from the water company if you are left without water for more than 48 hours.

If you’re ready to find new building insurance, compare quotes now.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.