Plumbing and Drainage Insurance

How plumbing and drains cover takes the stress away.

Published - 25 Sep 2023

Add Saga Home Emergency cover to your Home Insurance from as little as £34.99 a year.

Burst pipes and blocked drains can present a headache for any homeowner, but plumbing and drainage cover could provide a financial lifeline if you ever have any problems.

What is plumbing and drainage insurance?

Plumbing and drainage insurance can protect you financially if you experience water damage caused by problems like burst pipes and leaking or overflowing drains.

Does home insurance cover plumbing and drainage?

Yes, you should have some plumbing and drains cover as part of your home insurance. However, the extent of your cover will vary according to your insurer, and whether you’ve selected any add-ons for an extra fee.

For example, Saga Home Insurance will cover you for damage caused by leaking or overflowing drains. Meanwhile, Saga Plus buildings insurance will cover the cost of replacing pipes and drains if they’re accidentally damaged, or replacing flooring if it has to be removed in order to investigate a leak.

But if you’d like more extensive cover, you can add Saga Home Emergency to a Saga Home Insurance policy, which allows you to make unlimited emergency callouts a year to deal with problems like a burst water pipe or blocked drain.

What isn’t covered by plumbing and drainage insurance?

Your plumbing and drainage insurance won’t protect you against the following:

Everyday repairs and maintenance caused by wear and tear.
Poor workmanship leading to plumbing or drainage issues.
Problems in shared drains that aren’t located within your property.
Damage to showers, such as showerheads or pipes.

Do I need plumbing and drainage cover?

Plumbing systems can be complex, especially if a home was built decades or even centuries ago, so every home occupier faces the risk of water damage when pipes get blocked or damaged.

Adding plumbing and drains cover to your home insurance could save you from expensive repair bills, especially if the emergency occurs outside working hours such as a Sunday night or over Christmas.

How much does plumbing and drainage cover cost?

You can add Saga Home Emergency cover to your Home Insurance, giving you unlimited callouts for blocked drains and pipes.

With a standard Saga Home Insurance policy, there are many factors that affect premiums, including where you live, the type of property you live in and your claims history. For a more accurate picture of the costs, you can get a quote online and enter your details for a full quote.

How to prevent burst pipes

While having plumbing and drainage insurance may give you some extra reassurance, there are lots of ways you can reduce your chances of having to make a claim. Below are some ideas for how you can prevent burst pipes.

Insulate (or ‘lag’) your water pipes and tanks with materials like foam, including in the loft.
During periods of cold weather, keep your home relatively warm – British Gas recommends 7 degrees Celsius on the thermostat – to encourage warm air flow.
Don’t put anything down your drains that can cause blockages, such as oils, fats, sanitary products and wipes.

Make sure you know where your stopcock is and how to turn it off if you have signs of a leak. This will turn off the mains water supply while you wait for a plumber to arrive.
If your pipes freeze, you should turn off the water at the mains and use hot water bottles – and never a tool with an open flame – to thaw them slowly.

Who are Saga's home insurance policies underwritten by?

Saga Home Insurance policies, exclusively for people over 50, are unique products designed specifically for our customers. They are underwritten by a number of carefully selected insurers that provide our high standards of quality and service.

Saga Home Emergency Insurance is provided by Inter Partner Assistance S.A, part of the AXA group.