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Most common home insurance claims revealed
We surveyed 1,507 policyholders to find out their most common claims and average costs
£1.4 billion was paid out in property claims between April and June this year, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
This is the highest quarterly amount since the ABI started collecting claims data in 2017.
Much of this is due to bad weather, with storms, floods, freezing temperatures, and heatwaves (which can cause subsidence) becoming more frequent.
Here, we break down the most common home insurance claims and their average costs using our own data, along with five tips to consider when making a claim.
What do most people claim on their home insurance for?
Here is a list of the most common home insurance claims in the UK, based on our survey of 1,507 policyholders who had claimed in the last two years.
The table is ordered from the most common to the least common claim type:
| Type of claim | Percentage of claims (%) | Average claim amount (£) |
| Accidental damage to property | 19% | £615 |
| Escape of water (from an internal source) | 15% | £1,200 |
| Damage caused by high winds, heavy rain, or hail | 15% | £1,000 |
| Theft or burglary | 14% | £1,500 |
| Home emergency (incidents requiring an immediate response) | 14% | £1,000 |
| Flooding damage (caused by bad weather) | 9% | £1,500 |
| Fire damage | 7% | - |
Note: Based on a survey of 1,507 policyholders who have made a claim in the last 2 years. Survey conducted in June-July 2024. The median amount paid by insurers for each type of claim is also listed. If less than 30 respondents provided payment information, a dash '–' is shown.
The data shows that accidental damage to property is the most common type of home insurance claim, making up 19% of all claims. Despite being so frequent, the average payout is relatively low at £615 when compared to other claims.
Escape of water, such as a burst pipe, is also a common claim, with 15% of homeowners reporting it. These cases tend to be more costly, with an average payout of £1,200, likely because water damage often requires more extensive repairs.
On the other hand, subsidence is the least common claim, making up just 3% of cases. There's no average payout listed, as fewer people reported it. Subsidence typically involves serious structural issues, which can lead to expensive repairs.
- Find out more: Best home insurance policies
Accidental damage often isn't covered
Despite being the most common claim, accidental damage often isn't covered by home insurance.
Of the 75 policies we analysed, just 31% of buildings insurance policies and 29% of contents insurance policies included full accidental damage cover as standard.
Some others contained limited cover for accidental damage, which could be enhanced for a price, while in others it was entirely optional.
Even if price is your priority when choosing a policy, keep in mind that going without accidental damage cover could prove a false economy.
Our in-depth reviews of home insurers reveal which include accidental damage cover, including our experts' scores.
5 tips for making a home insurance claim
In the event you have to make a home insurance claim, here are five tips you should consider:
- Contact your insurer quickly: while most insurers allow up to 180 days to file a claim, it's always best to notify them as soon as possible. For bigger claims like a flood or fire, insurers prefer to act fast to prevent further damage. Delaying could make the problem worse and complicate your claim.
- Hold onto damaged items: after a loss, you might want to clean up and toss damaged items, but don't do that right away. Your insurer may need to inspect them before approving your claim. Even with something like a soaked carpet after a flood, wait until you’re told what to do.
- Take photos of the damage: insurers will ask for proof of what happened, so take clear photos or videos of any damage. This makes it easier to show exactly what was lost or damaged and can speed up the claim. Keeping receipts for larger purchases is also helpful in proving ownership.
- Consider how it might affect your premium: think about how making a claim could impact your future premiums. For small claims, like fixing a broken item, the potential increase might not be worth it. But for larger issues like theft or serious damage, it's more likely worth making the claim.
- Be careful with cash settlements: if your insurer offers you a cash payout instead of arranging repairs or replacements, make sure it’s enough to cover the real costs. While the amount may seem generous at first, double-check if it’s enough to fully restore your property. Once you accept a cash settlement, the insurer won’t have any further responsibility for that claim.
Find out more: Making a home insurance claim
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