A stronger claim starts with clear evidence
When a hidden leak damages your home, your insurer may need to know where the water came from, how it was identified and why access was necessary. A verbal explanation can be hard to pass on accurately. Our written Trace & Access report brings the relevant evidence into a coherent account.
You can give the report to your insurer alongside the invoice and other requested documents. It helps the person assessing the claim understand the investigation and plumbing work without having been at your property. Whether a cost is reimbursed, and how much, remains a decision under your policy.
What our report records
The starting point
Relevant property details, the reported symptoms and the areas or systems considered during the visit.
The investigation
Appropriate methods used and what the observations or tests showed, including relevant limitations.
The findings
The source observations and supporting evidence available, with any uncertainty explained rather than hidden.
Access and plumbing repair
The relevant opening or excavation, work carried out and appropriate post-repair checks.
Supporting photographs
Photographic evidence where appropriate to help explain the condition, location and work.
The practical next steps
Relevant follow-up observations and the distinction between the completed plumbing work and separate reinstatement.
The parts of a water-leak claim
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Trace | Investigating and locating the source of the escape. |
| Access | Opening the relevant area to reach concealed plumbing. |
| Pipe repair | Repairing the plumbing fault itself. |
| Water damage and reinstatement | Drying and restoring affected building materials and finishes. |
Your policy can treat these stages differently. The Leak Seaker offer includes the agreed detection, necessary access and plumbing repair; drying and decorative or remedial reinstatement are excluded.
Before the visit: ask your insurer
- Does my policy include trace-and-access cover for this situation?
- Do you require approval before investigation, opening or repair?
- What evidence and photographs should I provide?
- Are detection, access, pipe repair and reinstatement assessed separately?
- What excess, limits or exclusions apply?
- Do you need a claim reference or particular information on the report?
After the visit: keep the claim organised
Keep the report, invoice, appointment confirmation and correspondence in one place. Add any safe photographs taken when the leak first appeared and the information requested by your insurer. A dated record of observations can help explain intermittent symptoms.
Submit documents through your insurer’s own claims process. If it requests more technical detail, share the specific request so it can be considered against the visit record. An Written Trace & Access report supports a claim; it is not a promise that every item will be paid.
A complete plumbing package for £1,750
Our residential package gives you specialist investigation, tracing, necessary access or excavation, plumbing repair, quality parts and materials, appropriate retesting and the report. All work we carry out under the agreed scope has a one-year workmanship warranty.
The £100 booking deposit is deducted from the total, leaving £1,650. Applicable tax is included. Commercial instructions receive a separate quotation.
Your insurance questions
Can I claim the cost back on my home insurance?
You can submit our Written Trace & Access report and invoice to support a claim. Whether you can recover some or all of the cost depends on your policy, its trace-and-access provisions, excess, limits and your insurer’s decision. Ask about approval before the work. A report supports the evidence; it does not guarantee reimbursement.
What is in the Written Trace & Access report?
The report records relevant property and symptom information, methods used, findings, source observations and the access or plumbing repair carried out. Supporting photographs are included where appropriate. Specific insurer requirements should be discussed before attendance.
Does a report guarantee that an insurer will pay?
No. The report supports the technical evidence for your submission. Every claim is assessed under the relevant policy, exclusions, limits and excess. Your insurer decides whether a cost is covered and how much can be reimbursed.
Do I need insurer permission first?
Ask your insurer whether it requires authorisation before investigation, opening up or repairs. Requirements vary. Keep a record of its instructions and share relevant reporting requirements with us before the appointment.