When water damage disrupts your home or business, the claim itself shouldn’t add to the stress. At PCLA, we’re independent loss assessors who specialise in water damage insurance claims.
With offices in Belfast, Omagh, and Glasgow, we handle the entire process for you — from damage assessment and evidence gathering to insurer negotiations — so you receive the settlement you’re entitled to.
With over 250 five-star Google reviews and hundreds of successful claim recoveries, we deliver proven results—helping you overcome frustration and secure the settlement you’re entitled to.
Let PCLA handle the stress for you.
No Win, No Fee | 25+ years’ claims experience.
Local experts across Northern Ireland and Scotland | FCA regulated (FRN 933781).
Water damage doesn’t always look obvious. Yes, burst pipes are common, but leaks from attic tanks, dishwashers, washing machines, or even a loose roof tile can all trigger serious problems.
What you see is often just the start:
The true cost usually lies beneath the surface. Without clear evidence, insurers may only cover cosmetic repairs, leaving homeowners with long-term risks and expenses.
That’s why having a professional loss assessor matters — to reveal the hidden issues, gather proof, and make sure every part of the damage is included in your claim.
You don’t have to struggle through the process alone. Call us if:
If any of these sound familiar, PCLA can step in, manage the process, and fight for the full settlement you deserve.
When you report a claim, the insurer sends a loss adjuster. Many people think this role is independent. In reality, the loss adjuster is appointed and paid by the insurance company to control costs.
That often means:
Challenging this alone can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with the disruption of a flood, leak, or burst pipe.
At PCLA, we work only for you — never for the insurer. Our loss assessors record the full extent of the damage, prepare detailed reports, and negotiate directly to secure the full settlement you’re entitled to.
| What We Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Independent property inspection (including moisture surveys) | Reveals hidden or secondary damage that insurers often overlook |
| Detailed evidence and documentation | Provides insurer-ready proof that strengthens your claim |
| Policy interpretation | Ensures every cost your policy covers is identified and claimed |
| Direct negotiation with the insurer’s loss adjuster | Challenges low offers and protects your financial interest |
| Regular updates | Keeps you informed at every stage without the stress of chasing insurers |
Contact us and we’ll arrange a prompt site visit. We assess both visible and hidden water damage, backed by moisture surveys and technical reports.
Every detail is documented — from ruined flooring and furniture to electrics and insulation. Nothing is missed.
We prepare contents schedules, repair estimates, and supporting evidence in the exact format insurers require.
We meet the insurer’s loss adjuster on your behalf, challenge underpayments, and make sure all necessary works are included.
You receive your entitlement in full. You can choose your own contractors or ask us for recommendations.
Water leaks and bursts can cause expensive damage fast. In insurance terms, this is called Escape of Water — the most common type of home insurance claim in the UK. Knowing how it works and what your policy covers could save you stress, time, and money.
Most UK policies cover damage when water escapes from inside your home, such as:
💡 Tip: Buildings insurance covers the structure (e.g., ceilings, walls), while contents insurance covers belongings (e.g., TVs, furniture).
The top causes of claims include:
Not all water damage is included. Most policies exclude:
➡️ Not sure if your damage is covered? We can review your policy and guide your claim.
Because of the high cost, insurers usually apply a higher excess — around £250, compared to the standard amount.
Your policy may cover more than just repairs, such as:
Escape of Water claims now outnumber burglary claims. The main reasons are:
🔑 Understanding this risk helps you protect your home — and make sure you’re fairly covered if the worst happens.
These outcomes show the difference independent evidence makes. With PCLA on your side, you can secure a proper restoration — not just a token payout.
If you’re dealing with water damage, don’t go through the claims process alone.
Get expert help with your insurance claim today.
Water damage often hides bigger problems than you think. Our free guide explains:
Enter your details below to get instant access to your free guide today.
Over 240 homeowners rate us 5-stars for taking the stress out of their home insurance claims.
A burst pipe, leak, or flood can ruin walls, floors, and belongings in minutes. But the real shock often comes after—long calls with insurers, confusing forms, and offers that don’t cover the cost of repairs.
You don’t need to face this alone.
With over 25 years’ experience, PCLA takes control of your insurance claim from start to finish:
We work only for you, never the insurer.
Most policies do cover sudden water damage—burst pipes, leaks from appliances, or plumbing failures. What often trips people up is the wording. If the damage was gradual, or due to poor maintenance, or if your home was unoccupied under certain conditions, the insurer may refuse. PCLA can help you check your policy to see exactly what’s covered in your situation and whether you have a valid claim.
Trace and access is extra cover some policies include: it pays to find out exactly where the leak is coming from (for example breaking into walls or lifting floorboards), which many standard policies don’t. Without it, you might pay for locating the leak yourself. With PCLA, we check whether your policy has this, and ensure that locating leaks is included in your claim if it qualifies.
Clear photos/videos of the damage (before you do major clean-ups if safe), invoices or reports from plumbers or contractors, proof of any steps you took immediately, and records of the date you discovered the damage. Also anything showing you maintained the property (e.g. servicing, inspections) can help. PCLA guides you on gathering every piece of evidence so your claim can’t be undervalued or rejected for lack of detail.
Some common reasons include: slow leaks or gradual damage being considered a maintenance issue; delay in reporting the event; lack of proper evidence; ignoring policy rules about the home being unheated or unoccupied; using non-qualified contractors. We often see insurers try to limit payouts. That’s where using a Loss Assessor helps — we know what to watch out for and how to counter reduction tactics.
Yes — especially when there’s structural damage, lots of rooms affected, or cosmetic and hidden damage (like under floors or behind walls). A Loss Assessor works for you, not the insurer — so we ensure you are not short-changed. PCLA will spot damage insurers miss, negotiate properly, and help you get the full settlement you deserve. Even if you’ve had an offer, sometimes we’ve secured more by providing a stronger case.
For simple damage (one room, visible leak) things can move quickly — weeks rather than months. But with more severe damage (multi-room flooding, structural issues, drying out, hidden damage) the process could stretch into months. What slows things down: waiting for drying, surveys, negotiations. PCLA helps speed things up by managing communication, ensuring all inspections happen, and pushing for timely decisions.
You’ll almost always have an excess (what you pay before insurance kicks in). Also, many policies don’t cover the cost of repairing the broken source (e.g. the failed appliance or pipe), unless you have trace & access. Decorative finishes or upgrades beyond what was there may not be covered. We help you understand your policy’s excesses, limits, and what costs you should expect, so no nasty surprises.
As soon as you safely can: stop the flow of water (close off supply or stopcock), turn off power in the affected area if there’s risk, take photos/videos, remove valuables or move them to dry areas, and contact your insurer and PCLA for advice. The sooner you act and document, the stronger your claim will be. PCLA can walk you through what to do, even before the adjuster arrives, so you protect your position.
Our work delivers real value for families across Northern Ireland and Scotland:
These outcomes show the difference independent evidence makes. With PCLA on your side, you can secure a proper restoration — not just a token payout.
Choosing the right support makes all the difference in a water damage insurance claim. With PCLA, you benefit from:
Water damage doesn’t have to mean months of frustration. With PCLA, you move from stress and delays to a fair settlement and your home restored.
Arrange Your Free Survey Today!
In this article, we’ll cover the different types of claims that can be made and what information is required in order for your insurer to process it. So if you want to learn how to make a water damage claim on your home insurance, then keep reading.
If you’re unfortunate enough to experience a plumbing emergency such as a burst pipe, it’s important to know if you can make a claim on your home insurance for the damage. For most people who have a home insurance policy the answer is yes, you will be able to make a claim.
You may think your home is insured, but if your home is not insured or is underinsured, you could face a bill for property damage worth thousands of pounds.
Have you suffered property damage and need help making an insurance claim?
Our expert Loss Assessors specialise in helping property owners with all types of property damage claims.
Complete this form and one of our experienced claims professionals will call you back.
