Does Buildings Insurance Cover Outside Drains?

Usually, yes, as long as the outside drain is yours and the damage was sudden rather than gradual. The Financial Ombudsman Service says "most buildings insurance policies cover damage to underground pipes, drains, cables and tanks". Policies commonly exclude wear and tear, gradual damage and poor workmanship, so the cause of the damage decides most claims. A survey-led drain repair with a clear report gives a claim the best chance.

This guide explains what buildings insurance usually covers for outside drains, which pipes are actually yours, how insurers treat accidental damage and wear and tear, and what to do if a claim is turned down.

Does buildings insurance cover outside drains?

Outside drains normally fall under the buildings part of a home insurance policy, often in a section called "underground services". MoneyHelper says buildings insurance should include cover for the underground pipes and cables serving your home, including those taking sewage away, but that problems outside your property boundary won't usually be covered.

The Ombudsman makes two points worth knowing:

• Damage can be physical or functional. A cracked or collapsed pipe is physical damage. A pipe that no longer does its job, for example because it is blocked, can count as functional damage.
• The insurer must prove an exclusion applies. If an insurer relies on an exclusion to turn down a claim, the Ombudsman expects it to show the exclusion fits the facts.

Is accidental damage to drains covered as standard?

Not always. The Association of British Insurers says accidental damage to underground pipes or cables serving the building is often, but not always, included in standard cover, and that wider accidental damage cover is usually an optional extra. The ABI also says home insurance does not usually cover wear and tear, because it is designed for sudden and unexpected events.

Accidental damage or wear and tear: what is usually covered?

This table summarises how insurers typically treat common outside drain problems. It is a guide to the questions to ask, not a promise of cover: your policy wording decides.

Which outside drains are you responsible for?

Insurance usually covers only pipes you are responsible for. In England, private sewers and lateral drains connected to the public sewer before 1 July 2011 transferred to the water companies on 1 October 2011 (SI 2011/1566).

Across Nottinghamshire and most of Derbyshire and Leicestershire, the sewerage company is Severn Trent (0800 783 4444). If a shared pipe is involved, the Ombudsman notes some insurers may pay only a share of the cost, such as 50%. Our guide to who is responsible for a blocked drain outside explains the rules, and landlords should read who pays for blocked drains in rented homes.

Is a blocked drain covered by home insurance?

Sometimes, but it depends on the policy wording and the cause. Insurers look closely at why a drain blocked, so a camera survey showing the reason, such as a displaced joint, a crack or a build-up of fat and wipes, is useful evidence either way.

For a straightforward blockage, compare the cost of clearing it with your excess before claiming. Our blocked drain clearance starts from £120 + VAT, with no call-out fee. Our guide to drain unblocking costs gives more detail.

How do you make a drain damage claim?

1. Make the area safe. Stop using sinks, toilets and appliances that drain into the affected pipe, and keep people away from sewage.
2. Contact your insurer first. The Ombudsman says most policies expect you to tell the insurer and let it inspect before repairs.
3. Check whether the pipe is shared. If it serves neighbours too, report it to the water company.
4. Get a CCTV drain survey. A camera survey shows the defect, where it is and what the pipe is made of.
5. Keep evidence. If urgent work cannot wait, keep photos, the drainage report and an itemised bill.
6. Keep a record of dates, names and reference numbers for every call and email.

Insurers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Its rules in ICOBS 8.1 require an insurer to "handle claims promptly and fairly", give reasonable guidance to help you claim and "not unreasonably reject a claim".

What should a drainage report include for an insurer?

The Ombudsman expects a drainage report to include condition detail, a pipework diagram, the location of each defect and the pipe material. In the UK, defects are usually coded to the WRc Manual of Sewer Condition Classification (MSCC5), and domestic repair recommendations often follow the WRc Drain Repair Book, produced with the Association of British Insurers' Property Claims Working Group.

Our CCTV drain surveys start from £149 + VAT and include MSCC5-coded condition grading, a PDF report, footage and stills of each defect and a map of your drain runs. Our guide to what a CCTV drain survey report shows explains how to read one.

What if your insurer turns down the claim?

Ask the insurer to explain its decision in writing and to name the policy term it relies on. Remember that it is for the insurer to show an exclusion applies, and an independent drainage report can help if you disagree with its findings.

If you are still unhappy, make a formal complaint. If the insurer doesn't resolve it, you can usually take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service once you have the insurer's final response, or after eight weeks. The service is free for consumers.

How can you reduce the risk of a rejected claim?

• Know what your drains are made of. A survey shows whether you have clay, plastic or pitch fibre pipes, which matters for cover.
• Keep your drains maintained. Clear slow drains promptly and keep fat and wipes out.
• Fix small defects early. A cracked joint repaired now avoids a collapse later and arguments about gradual damage.
• Keep your paperwork, including survey reports, bills and photos of past drainage work.
• Check cover when you switch policies, especially underground services, accidental damage and pitch fibre.

If you are buying a house, a homebuyer drain survey gives you this information before you commit.

When to call a professional

Involve a drainage professional as soon as you suspect damage, so you understand the problem before you speak to your insurer. Our drain repairs start from £250 + VAT, are based on a CCTV survey, favour no-dig methods such as drain relining where possible, and carry a 12-month workmanship guarantee. We supply the reports and photos insurers ask for.

We work across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, 7 days a week from 6am to 8pm, with emergency call-outs 365 days a year. Book a survey or call 07300 600 950.

Sources

• Financial Ombudsman Service: damage to underground pipes
• Association of British Insurers: buildings insurance
• MoneyHelper: what is buildings insurance?
• FCA Handbook: ICOBS 8.1 claims handling
• The Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011, SI 2011/1566
• Severn Trent: sewer pipe responsibility
• WRc: Drain Repair Book, 4th edition