What does trace and access cover?

Short answer: Trace and access cover pays to find a hidden leak and get to it: tracing it, opening up the floor, wall or ground, and making good the damage done in the search. It usually does not pay to repair the leaking pipe itself. Many buildings insurance policies include it, often with a limit per claim.

Trace and access cover is the part of a buildings insurance policy that pays to find a hidden leak. Finding a leak under a floor, behind a wall or under a drive can cost more than fixing it, which is why the cover exists.

What it usually pays for

According to MoneySuperMarket’s guide, trace and access cover typically pays for:

• the work needed to locate a hidden leak;
• getting to it: lifting floors, opening walls, digging down to a buried pipe;
• making good the damage caused during the search.

It is included as standard in many buildings policies, often with a limit per claim.

What it usually doesn’t pay for

• The repair to the pipe itself. Fixing the leaking joint or replacing the pipe is usually your cost.
• Water getting in from outside. Trace and access is tied to escape of water, meaning leaks from a closed system such as pipes and appliances. It doesn’t cover water coming through a roof, window or door.
• Obvious leaks. If the source is plain to see, like a burst pipe in the loft, there is nothing to trace. Home emergency cover may apply instead.
• The water company’s pipes. Leaks on the main, the communication pipe or the meter are the water company’s to fix, free.

Underground pipes

Many policies include underground supply pipes on your property, which matters because these are the leaks that cost most to find. Some policies cap the amount, or only cover pipes serving the house. Read the wording before booking. On typical local prices, trace and access in Nottingham is published from £495.

Making the claim go smoothly

1. Ring the insurer first. Most want the claim logged before work starts, and some send their own contractor.
2. Photograph everything before anything is moved or opened up.
3. Book with the claim reference so the report goes to the right place.
4. Keep the report, which should give the leak position, cause, method and photos, plus the invoice.
5. Claim the water separately. Once the leak is fixed, Severn Trent offers a one-off leakage allowance once the leak is repaired, covering up to 12 months or two bills based on actual meter readings.

For the damage the water itself caused, see escape of water vs trace and access. For the service, see trace and access.

Bottom line

Trace and access pays to find the leak and put right the damage done getting to it, not to fix the pipe. Check your policy limit and excess, log the claim first, and make sure the report gives the insurer what it needs. Call 0115 839 0791, 9am–7pm, 7 days.