The 5-Step Checklist for a Successful Claim
Discovering that you have a collapsed drain or a persistent blockage is worrying enough without the stress of a repair bill that you may have to cover. You’re probably wondering, “Will insurance cover my drain repairs?” or “Will my claim be rejected because of a technicality?“
We work with plenty of customers that are worried about their insurance claims, and in this blog we’re going to help you manage the process, ensuring you don’t pay out of your own pocket if you don’t need to.
At Drainflow, we’ve spent over 20 years dealing drainage emergencies. During that time, we’ve helped customers through the insurance process by offering them guidance on the specific evidence they need to produce. This guide has been written from practical, hands-on experience helping people get their repairs approved and their lives back to normal.
The 5-Step Checklist for a Successful Claim
So, how do you make sure your drain repair claim is successful? In our experience it all comes down to preparation and the right evidence. That’s why we’ve put together this checklist to help you work your way through the claim process without the undue stress or confusion.
1. Check for “Accidental Damage” Coverage – Before calling your provider, take a look at your policy. You’re looking for “Accidental Damage to Underground Services.” In our 20 years of experience, this is the phrase that usually triggers a successful claim for collapsed or root-damaged pipes.
2. Book a Professional CCTV Drain Survey – Insurers won’t take your word for it; they’ll need “eyes on the problem.” We use high-definition CCTV cameras to find the exact cause. A clear video file is the single most powerful piece of evidence you can provide to prove the damage isn’t just “old age.”
3. Keep the “Debris” Evidence – If we clear a blockage and find concrete, large stones, or heavy root ingress, we have clear images of it. This proves an external factor caused the issue – making it much harder for an insurer to claim it’s a maintenance problem.
4. Get a Fixed-Price Repair Quote – Insurers like certainty. By providing a professional, transparent quote from the start, you give them exactly that.
5. Act Fast to Prevent “Negligence” – If you leave a leak for months, insurers might claim you’ve been negligent. Call us the moment you spot a damp patch or a slow drain. Being able to demonstrate that you took immediate action protects your right to a full repair.
Still Unsure? Here Are Questions Our Customers Often Ask
We know that insurance policies can read like a foreign language. So here are the four things most people want to know before they start a claim
Give us a call first. We can clear the immediate problem to prevent flooding (which insurers expect you to do) and then carry out a CCTV drain survey. This way, when you do call your insurer, you have the facts ready, making the whole conversation much simpler.
No, not necessarily. They’re saying that they won’t pay for pipes that have just reached the end of their life, many “old” pipes fail because of a specific accident or root ingress. Our job is to find specific cause to help your claim fall under the “covered” category.
In a number of cases, yes it does. If the survey reveals damage that is covered by your policy, the cost of the investigation is often included in the claim. It’s always worth checking your “trace and access” cover in your policy documents.
You’re responsible for the drains inside your property boundary. If it’s a shared sewer, it might be the responsibility of the local water authority. We can help you identify exactly where the fault lies during our inspection.
Expert Documentation Speeds Up Your Claim
The difference between a “yes” and a “no” from your insurance provider often comes down to the quality of the evidence. With two decades of experience, we know exactly how to document your drain repair to increase your chances of success. Why go it alone when you can have a drain clearance specialist in your corner?
Ready to get your drains sorted? Book your CCTV Survey now and let’s get your claim moving in the right direction – 01525 718500