What to Do When Your Washing Machine or Dishwasher Leaks: A Guide for Insurance Claims
A washing machine or dishwasher leak can cause significant damage. Our guide helps you document the incident correctly and navigate the insurance claims process for trace and access.
Immediate Action: Mitigating Damage and Documenting the Leak
Discovering a leak from your washing machine or dishwasher can be alarming. Your first priority should be to stop the flow of water to prevent further damage. Turn off the appliance's dedicated water supply valves, typically located on the pipes behind it. If you cannot find these or they are not working, locate your property's main stopcock and turn it off. After securing the water, safely move any items away from the affected area and mop up standing water where possible.
From an insurance and claims perspective, immediate action is crucial. Insurers expect policyholders to take reasonable steps to mitigate loss. Use your phone to take clear, date-stamped photographs and videos of the leaking appliance, the visible water damage, and the surrounding area. Document the make and model of the appliance as well. This visual evidence forms the essential first layer of your claim documentation, establishing the origin and initial extent of the incident.
The Trace & Access Process: Finding the Source for Your Insurer
While the leak may appear obvious—water pooling from under your washing machine—the full path and source are often hidden. This is where professional trace and access comes in. Insurers frequently require a detailed, technical report to understand the cause, the full route of the escape of water, and the necessary repairs. Our engineers specialise in this forensic investigation.
We use non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques, such as thermal imaging and acoustic listening devices, to trace the leak's path behind walls or under floors without unnecessary destruction. Our comprehensive report precisely identifies the source (e.g., a failed hose, a cracked pump housing, a faulty valve) and maps the extent of the water travel. This report is prepared specifically to meet insurer requirements, providing the clear cause and liability assessment they need to approve subsequent repair and restoration works, including any necessary access to concealed areas.
Navigating Your Claim and Cost Recovery
With our detailed trace and access report in hand, you can submit a robust claim to your insurer. This documentation is designed to facilitate the approval process for the necessary restorative work. A common point of confusion for policyholders is understanding what is covered. Most building insurance policies include 'trace and access' as a standard cover, meaning the cost of finding the source of the leak—like our investigation—is often recoverable.
The subsequent repairs to the pipework or appliance itself, and the reinstatement of any damaged structures (like flooring or wall sections opened during the investigation), typically fall under different sections of your policy. We work closely with both you and your insurer's loss adjuster, providing the technical clarity required to ensure all recoverable costs are identified and justified. Our focus is on delivering a procedural, documented service that supports a smooth claims experience and helps you restore your property efficiently.
By following these steps—immediate documentation, engaging a specialist for trace and access, and using the resulting report to substantiate your claim—you transform a stressful leak event into a managed, procedural insurance process. It ensures you meet your policy obligations and maximises the potential for full cost recovery for the investigative and repair work needed.
Frequently asked questions
Will my home insurance cover the cost of finding a dishwasher leak?
Most building insurance policies include 'trace and access' cover. This means the cost of professionally locating the source of a hidden leak, such as from a dishwasher, is typically a recoverable expense. A detailed report from a specialist leak detection engineer is usually required by your insurer to process this part of the claim.
What documentation does my insurer need after a washing machine leak?
Insurers require clear evidence of the incident and its cause. Initially, provide your own photos/videos of the leak and damage. Crucially, they will require a professional trace and access report that definitively identifies the source (e.g., burst hose, faulty valve), traces the water path, and outlines the necessary remedial work. Our reports are structured to meet these specific insurer requirements.
What is the difference between 'trace and access' and the actual repairs?
'Trace and access' refers specifically to the work of locating the source of a leak and gaining necessary access to it, which is often covered under one section of your policy. The repairs to the faulty appliance or pipework, and the reinstatement of any decorative damage (e.g., floors, walls), are usually covered under different sections. A clear professional report helps your insurer distinguish and approve both elements of the claim.