Benn Houghton writes:

Subject: Leaky radiators!!

I notice you have stated you are an insurance broker...and you are querying why insurers are paying so many escape of water claims.

I find it highly unlikely that leaky radiators are to blame!! Burst pipes in winter tend to be the biggest cause of these type of claims.

Should an insurer find a claim to be from a leaky radiator they would/should still turn down the claim anyway - it is not from a single identifiable incident, which is a basic insurance principle.

Personally, I find your article extremely shortsighted, and somewhat bewildering considering your profession!!

(I too am an insurance broker by the way)

Hayley writes:

Subject: in response!

You will notice I have referred to what customers tell me, not what I THINK the escape of water was caused by... And whilst I am sure there are a large number of claims caused by burst water pipes during the winter, there are more caused by leaky radiators (at the time this article was written anyway). The fact that you haven't yet realised that insurer's HAVE to pay for the damage caused by escape of water is a real worry you are advising on which policy's are the best ones to buy. I never said they replace the radiator, but damage caused by escape of water IS covered... Oh dear, what a strange collection of points to make given YOUR profession.

Nick S writes:

Subject: Escape of Water

Escape of Water comes from many means, for property owners risks invariably comes from upstairs into another's causing further damage.

Whatever it is, I agree that escape of water is now a popular payout and the Lloyd's Market (from the 15 contacts I have) are now looking at 10% rate increases where freeze and/or escape of water losses have occurred.

As for the arguments above, it is all a matter of definition. By my reckoning escape of water is not really the same peril as burst pipes as the latter would fall under the category of freeze but it all depends on who you trade with and how you prepare your annual claims statistics... as I am building up to 2010 I am in such mode!