Is damage caused by a leak covered by my home contents insurance?

One evening, you take a bath to completely unwind. When you get out of the bath and go downstairs, you notice that there’s a leak. The water has just splashed onto your stereo, and now one of the speakers isn’t working anymore. This is, of course, very frustrating, and now you naturally want to know if your home contents insurance covers water damage. Most home contents insurance policies cover damage caused by leaks. However, there are still conditions attached to the payout.

What does home contents insurance cover?

With home contents insurance, you’re only covered for all your personal property. This includes movable items inside your home, such as your bed, TV, and sofa. Depending on the type of coverage, you’re insured up to a maximum amount. You can use the home contents value calculator to determine how much your belongings are worth and what coverage you need.

Insurance companies cover damage caused by unforeseen circumstances. The leak must therefore be unforeseen. Based on the example with the bathtub, it must have been in good condition. If maintenance was overdue, you cannot file a claim with your insurance company for damage caused by a leak.

Here’s another example: suppose it rained so hard that the gutter couldn’t handle it and water leaked through the roof. In that case, the insurer will cover this damage because it was unforeseeable.