When a heating pipe burst beneath the ground floor of a Belfast home, the damage wasn’t immediately visible. The insurer’s adjuster assessed only the bathroom and offered £6,000 for repairs. Feeling unsure, the homeowner turned to PCLA. Our survey identified moisture spread throughout the slab, leading to a revised £73,000 settlement and full temporary accommodation cover.
The Problem: A Hidden Heating Pipe Leak
In November 2024, a heating pipe failed within the concrete floor slab of the ground floor. Water escaped into the structure and spread unnoticed beneath the tiled floors.
The homeowner arranged for a leak detection company to locate and repair the pipe. Once the leak was fixed, they contacted Tesco Insurance to start their claim.
The Insurer’s Initial Offer: £6,000
Tesco’s appointed loss adjuster inspected the bathroom, where the leak had been found, and issued a settlement offer of £6,000. This assessment focused only on the visible area of damage and did not investigate whether water had travelled beneath adjoining rooms — something that is common with underfloor leaks.
Unsure whether this offer covered everything, the homeowner sought reassurance from a friend who recommended contacting PCLA for independent advice.
Why the Homeowner Appointed PCLA
The homeowner felt uneasy about accepting the insurer’s offer but didn’t have the technical knowledge to challenge it. By engaging our Loss Assessors in Belfast, they gained:
- Independent representation — we act for homeowners, not insurers.
- Over 25 years of experience managing water damage and insurance claims.
- Access to specialist testing equipment to detect hidden moisture.
Our role was to take over the claim, carry out a full property assessment, and negotiate with Tesco on the client’s behalf.
PCLA’s Investigation: Full Moisture Survey
Our surveyors carried out a detailed moisture survey across the ground floor. Using professional testing equipment, we found that:
- Moisture had spread well beyond the bathroom.
- The concrete slab and flooring throughout the ground floor were saturated.
- The tiled surface concealed damage that could not be identified without specialist tools.
We prepared a comprehensive schedule of works and submitted it to Tesco, supported by photographic and moisture-mapping evidence.
The Outcome: £73,000 Settlement + Alternative Accommodation
After reviewing our findings, Tesco initially questioned the extent of the damage. Through evidence-based negotiation, we secured a final settlement of £73,000 — more than twelve times the insurer’s first offer.
We also demonstrated that the property would be uninhabitable during reinstatement. Tesco therefore agreed to cover temporary accommodation costs while the repairs were carried out.
This ensured the homeowner could proceed with full reinstatement without financial strain or disruption to daily life.
What This Case Shows
This Belfast case highlights a common issue: hidden water damage is often underestimated during initial insurer inspections. Without independent assessment, homeowners may be left thousands of pounds short of what’s needed for proper repair.
Appointing PCLA means gaining a qualified advocate who:
- Represents your interests, not the insurer’s.
- Carries out detailed surveys using professional equipment.
- Manages every stage of the claim, from documentation to settlement.
- Ensures your property is fully reinstated, not just superficially repaired.
Get Free Claims Advice
If you’ve suffered a leak or water damage in Belfast or anywhere in Northern Ireland, and your insurer’s offer seems low, we can help.
📞 Call PCLA on 028 9581 5318 for free, no-obligation advice. We’ll review your situation and explain your options — clearly, locally, and in your best interests.
