Is a leak in the home covered?

What is

The consequential loss: the soaked ceiling, the damaged wall, the affected floor and your belongings standing underneath.

The costs of tracing the leak to find the leak and to put back what was opened up for it.

What is not

The repairing the pipe itself. That is the cause, and causes are not paid for.

Gradual damage from a leak that went unnoticed for a long time. What is insured is sudden damage; wear and deferred maintenance fall outside.

What to do straight away

Limit the damage — that is not only sensible but a duty under Article 7:957 of the Dutch Civil Code. Turn off the stopcock, catch the water, move your belongings.

Photograph before you clear up, and keep receipts for emergency measures. Those costs are normally paid, even above the sum insured.

Report it to your insurer or to us before you have any repairs carried out.

In a flat

If the water comes from above, the question arises whether it comes from a communal part or from the flat of the neighbour above you. That determines whether the policy of the VvE (Dutch owners' association) or that neighbour's liability comes into play.