Zurich's latest report has identified a “worrying trend” in escape-of-water claims, which causes more severe damage in tenants' homes.
This report, which analysed £8.3 million of its water damage claims that occurred in social housing stock from 2014 to 2019, found that two in five (40%) of all water damage claims are slow leaks – with 50% caused by wear and tear and 29% reoccurring accidents that originate mainly in bathrooms (37%), soil stacks (33%), and white good appliances (11%).
Burst pipes followed slow leaks as the most significant cause of damage, amounting to 28% of all water damage claims.
Zurich is calling for increase investment in maintaining the social housing stock in the country as well as working with customers to mitigate risks of water damage and prevent further losses from occurring.
“We believe the [very worrying trend in escape of water claims] is [caused by] a combination of factors, including our ageing social housing stock, maintenance schedules which are not robust enough, poorly installed modern plumbing materials, delay in reporting leaks and dealing with them before more damage occurs, as well as financial pressures that housing associations have to deal with on a day to day basis and lack of sufficient Government investment to fund the UK's housing stock,” said Allison Whittington, head of housing at Zurich.
“A collaborative approach is needed to mitigate further risk of damage caused by escaping water in order to protect the tenants and often the most vulnerable in our society.”
