Does Buildings Insurance Cover Damp?
Usually, buildings insurance does not cover damp when it has developed gradually because of age, wear and tear, poor maintenance or a longstanding defect. However, damp-related damage may sometimes be covered where it has been caused directly by an insured event, such as a burst pipe, storm damage, flooding or another sudden incident included within the policy.
The important question is not simply whether damp is present, but what caused it. Identifying the source of moisture is often the first step in deciding whether an insurance claim may be possible and whether professional damp proofing or another form of remedial work is required.
If you are concerned about damp in your property, Shield Preservation can carry out a professional damp survey to help identify the cause and recommend the appropriate next steps.
Is Rising Damp Covered by Buildings Insurance?
Rising damp is rarely covered by standard buildings insurance policies because it normally develops gradually rather than as the result of a sudden insured event.
It can occur where the damp proof course is missing, damaged, bridged or no longer performing effectively, allowing moisture from the ground to move upwards through walls.
Because insurers commonly regard this as a maintenance or deterioration issue, the cost of installing or repairing a damp proof course is usually the responsibility of the property owner.
If you suspect rising damp, it is important to confirm the diagnosis before treatment is specified. Other problems, including penetrating damp, plumbing leaks and condensation, can produce similar symptoms. Our guide to condensation vs rising damp explains some of the differences.
Is Penetrating Damp Covered by Buildings Insurance?
Penetrating damp may be treated differently depending on its cause.
If water has entered the property because of an insured event — for example, storm damage to a roof or a sudden escape of water — some of the resulting damage may be covered by the policy.
However, if penetrating damp has developed because of defective pointing, damaged gutters, leaking downpipes, deteriorated render or another maintenance issue, insurers will often exclude the claim.
This is why determining the source of the water ingress is so important. A specialist damp survey can help establish whether the problem appears to be sudden or whether it has developed progressively over time.
What About Damp Caused by a Burst Pipe or Escape of Water?
This is one of the situations where an insurance claim may be more likely.
Many buildings insurance policies include cover for an escape of water, such as water leaking from a burst pipe, tank or fixed plumbing system.
The insurer may cover damage caused by the incident, although this does not necessarily mean that every associated repair will be covered. Policy wording, excesses and exclusions vary, so the individual policy should always be checked.
Where the cause of moisture is unclear, Shield offers a range of specialist property surveys to help establish the source and extent of the problem.
Is Condensation or Mould Covered by Buildings Insurance?
Condensation and mould are usually not covered by standard buildings insurance because they are generally associated with ventilation, humidity, heating or ongoing property conditions rather than a sudden insured event.
Persistent mould should not automatically be assumed to be condensation, however. Moisture can enter a property in several different ways, and an accurate diagnosis is important before remedial work begins.
If you are unsure whether the problem is condensation or another form of damp, see our guide to identifying condensation and rising damp.
Is Dry Rot Covered by Buildings Insurance?
Dry rot can develop where timber remains persistently damp, and whether it is covered will normally depend on the underlying cause.
If the moisture problem has arisen because of a sudden insured event, there may be circumstances where resulting damage is considered by the insurer. Where the cause is long-term damp, poor ventilation, defective maintenance or gradual deterioration, cover is much less likely.
You can read more about why the moisture source must be addressed in our guide to dry rot treatment.
Where timber decay is suspected, Shield can carry out a professional timber survey to investigate dry rot, wet rot and other timber defects.
Why Do Insurers Often Reject Damp Claims?
Most buildings insurance policies are designed to protect against unexpected events rather than routine maintenance or gradual deterioration.
Common reasons damp-related claims may be declined include:
- Long-term water ingress
- Wear and tear
- Defective gutters or downpipes
- Damaged pointing or render that has not been maintained
- Bridged or deteriorated damp proof courses
- Condensation and inadequate ventilation
- Pre-existing damp problems
Policy terms vary considerably, so homeowners should always check the wording of their own policy and contact their insurer where there is any doubt.
Leaving moisture problems unresolved can also lead to more extensive damage. See our guide to the hidden costs of ignoring damp problems.
What Should You Do If You Discover Damp?
If damp appears in your property, acting promptly can help prevent the problem from becoming more serious.
- Photograph the affected areas. Keep a record of when the problem was first noticed.
- Check for an obvious cause. This might include a leaking pipe, damaged roof, blocked gutter or recent storm damage.
- Check your insurance policy. Look particularly at sections covering escape of water, storm damage and exclusions for gradual deterioration.
- Contact your insurer where appropriate. If the damage appears to have resulted from a sudden insured event, notify them promptly.
- Arrange a professional damp assessment. Correct diagnosis is important before deciding on treatment.
If the property already has a damp problem, you can request a free damp survey from Shield Preservation.
How Can a Damp Survey Help?
A professional damp survey helps establish the type of moisture problem affecting the building and the likely source.
A typical Shield damp assessment may include:
- Inspection of accessible internal and external areas
- Moisture readings from affected walls and floors
- Assessment for rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation
- Identification of defects contributing to water ingress
- Recommendations for appropriate remedial work
Shield Preservation’s surveyors are CSRT- and CSSW-qualified and can recommend appropriate damp proofing solutions where treatment is required.
For homeowners who already have an existing damp problem, you can request a free damp survey, subject to the survey criteria and availability.
Can a Damp Survey Support an Insurance Claim?
A specialist survey can provide useful evidence about the nature and likely cause of a damp problem. This may help distinguish between damage caused by a sudden event and moisture that has developed gradually.
However, whether an insurer accepts a claim is determined by the insurer and the terms of the individual policy. Shield cannot guarantee that a survey or remedial recommendation will result in a successful insurance claim.
If you are buying or selling a property rather than investigating an existing problem, a different type of inspection may be appropriate. Read our guide to pre-purchase damp surveys for more information.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of Damp Problems?
Regular property maintenance can help reduce the risk of water ingress and may also help demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to care for the building.
- Keep gutters and downpipes clear and in good condition.
- Repair damaged roof coverings promptly.
- Maintain external pointing, render and masonry.
- Check plumbing for leaks.
- Ensure bathrooms, kitchens and other moisture-producing areas are adequately ventilated.
- Investigate unexplained damp patches before they spread.
If a damp problem keeps returning despite previous treatment, it is particularly important to establish the underlying source rather than repeatedly treating the visible symptoms.
So, Does Buildings Insurance Cover Damp?
In most cases, not if the damp has developed gradually. Rising damp, condensation and water ingress caused by poor maintenance are commonly excluded from buildings insurance.
There may be cover where the damp is a direct consequence of a sudden insured event, such as storm damage or an escape of water, but this will depend on the wording of the individual policy.
If you are unsure what is causing damp in your property, the most useful first step is to establish the source of the moisture.
Request a damp survey from Shield Preservation or contact our survey team to discuss the problem.