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UK home insurance claims data: What you need to know in 2025

Find out what UK homeowners were claiming for, when they’re most at risk, and how much it could cost you. Our data covers home insurance claim trends between 2021 and 2024.

Home insurance stats you should know

Between 2021 and 2024, over 83,000 home insurance claims were made across the UK.
The average cost of a home insurance claim has increased by 50% in the UK between this period.
The average home insurance policy in the UK costs £239 a year.

The South East tops the list with 15,964 claims, adding up to nearly £62.2 million in damages.
Flood damage is very expensive, with the average claim costing nearly £69,000.
Since 2021, UK homeowners have made over 84,000 claims, totalling more than £439 million.

The most common claim types

Claims can come from all sorts of unexpected moments, but these are the ones we see most often:

Escape of water

Escape of water refers to leaks from things like burst pipes, broken boilers or faulty appliances. Escape of water led to 24,102 recorded claims, and cost an average of £5,708 per incident. Check pipes and appliances regularly and Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing.

Accidental damage and loss

Accidental damage and loss made up over 1 in 4 of all claims, with a value of £35,230,622 overall. We can’t always prevent accidents, but to limit the chance of damage, keep your property clean and uncluttered, and take extra care when doing DIY work.

Storm damage

Storms have led to 12,636 claims, with the average claim quintupling in cost from £3,284 in 2021 to £15,207 in 2024. To reduce serious damages, fix broken walls or fences, and cut back overhanging trees. Data suggests that severe weather is on the rise, so prevention is key.

*Unless otherwise stated, all claims data is based on claims made by home insurance policy holders who have purchased through Confused.com and made a claim between 2021 and 2024. All data combines claims made on buildings and contents policies, and where applicable, similar claims types have been combined to give an overall total.

When are you most at risk of incidents in the home?

Seasonal trends show that claims are consistently highest during autumn and winter, particularly the months of January, February and November.

Winter brings the highest risk, with storms, freezing weather and flooding causing major structural damage, so having the right cover matters most when it’s coldest.

February saw the most claims, with 9,949 made between 2021 and 2023, totalling over £34 million. Cold snaps and burst pipes are likely to blame.

October was the most expensive month, with stormy weather leading to £66.5 million in claims.

In a recent survey of 2,000 UK homeowners, nearly 1 in 3 (31%) say they are more worried about storm damage during the colder months, while over 1 in 4 (29%) are more concerned about frozen pipes or water leaks in winter.

Claims for England

The South East had the highest amount of claims between 2021 and 2024. Other areas with high amounts of claims are The North West and The East of England. The table shows the most common claim types and their value per region, as well as the overall cost of all claims in the area:

Region*	Highest claim type*	Amount / cost for highest claim*
South East	Escape of water	4748 claims / £26,427,050
North West	Accidental loss damage at home	2491 claims / £3,883,282
East of England	Escape of water	2873 claims / £19,573,266
South West	Accidental loss damage at home	2098 claims / £2,690,283
Yorkshire & the Humber	Accidental loss damage at home	1908 claims / £2,351,643
West Midlands	Accidental loss damage at home	2075 claims / £2,438,283
London	Escape of water	1458 claims / £13,479,254
East Midlands	Accidental loss damage at home	1793 claims / £2,439,312

Region*	Total amount of claims for region*	Total cost of claims for region*
South East	15,964 claims	£60,775,853
North West	9037 claims	£44,834,187
East of England	9018 claims	£44,007,839
South West	7301 claims	£26,672,208
Yorkshire & the Humber	6641 claims	£23,320,813
West Midlands	6573 claims	£29,398,809
London	5054 claims	£35,873,917
East Midlands	5989 claims	£23,645,920

Total cost of claims for England: £439,293,447

Claims for Wales

Wales has seen a high number of claims for escape of water between 2021-2024. The table below highlights some of the other top contenders and their total cost:

Top 5 claim types*	Amount of claims*	Cost of claims*
Escape of water	1097 claims	£11,487,785
Accidental loss damage at home	1072 claims	£1,158,516
Storm damage	779 claims	£2,008,523
Accidental loss damage away from home	217 claims	£248,833
Other causes at home	128 claims	£244,320

Total cost of claims for Wales: £80,882,409

Claims for Scotland

The table below shows the top 5 claim types in Scotland during this period, as well as their total cost:

Top 5 claim types*	Amount of claims*	Cost of claims*
Escape of water	2520 claims	£13,600,589
Accidental loss damage at home	2068 claims	£4,075,350
Storm	1263 claims	£20,243,567
Accidental loss damage away from home	456 claims	£618,577
Other causes at home	247 claims	£485,469

Total cost of claims for Scotland: £30,624,475

Claims for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has also seen high amounts of claims for escape of water. The table shows the most common claim types during this period, as well as their overall value:

Top 5 claim types*	Amount of claims*	Cost of claims*
Escape of water	1070 claims	£11,924,810
Accidental loss damage at home	444 claims	£853,766
Storm	144 claims	£365,005
Accidental loss damage away from home	82 claims	£109,135
Other causes at home	68 claims	£229,325

Total cost of claims for Northern Ireland: £16,481,801

Why home insurance is essential

“Our data shows that the average cost of home insurance claims has risen significantly over the past 3 years. Rising UK inflation along with more frequent severe weather linked to climate change, has driven the rise in claim payouts. These factors have led to escape of water, accidental damage and storm-related incidents being the most common claim types. Yet, some of these issues can be avoided with regular checks and good home maintenance.

“We know many residents are hesitant to make a claim due to concerns about rising costs, which is why prevention and preparation are so important. By understanding where and when damage is most likely to occur, residents can take practical steps to protect their homes and make confident decisions about their cover.”

Matthew Harwood Home & lifestyle insurance expert

How can I protect my home?

Here are some simple checks to help protect your home all year round:

Test your alarms: Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to make sure they’re working properly.
Service your boiler: Book an annual check-up to avoid costly breakdowns, especially in winter.
Detecting leaks early: Devices on your stop tap might help spot issues, like a Surestop remote stopcock that fixes to your main water pipe for easy shut-off. Or a smart water valve that can be controlled by a mobile app.

Secure your locks: Make sure all doors and windows shut and lock properly to keep your home safe.
Keep an eye on your bathroom: Check silicone seals and grouting for wear. Small fixes now can prevent bigger problems later.
Prevent damp and excess moisture: Ventilate your home by opening windows and using extractor fans. Make sure you’ve got adequate heating and insulation and reduce moisture by using pot lids and drying clothes outside.

How to make a home insurance claim

Stay safe first: Don’t try to fix anything dangerous, especially if it involves water or electricity.

Report it quickly: If it’s a burglary, call the police and get a crime reference number. For everything else, contact your insurer straight away and take photos or videos of the damage.

Stop further damage: Arrange temporary repairs if needed, but hang on to damaged items until your insurer says otherwise.

Keep a record: Make a note of everything that happened, when, and what was damaged. If a claim form’s needed, fill it in as soon as possible.

Need more help?

What information do I need to start a claim?

To file a home insurance claim, you'll need:

Your policy number
Date and description of the incident
Photos or videos of the damage (if available)
A list of damaged or lost items
Police report (if applicable)

When should I make a claim?

You should file as soon as possible after the incident. Prompt reporting helps speed up the investigation and repairs process.

Will my premium increase if I make a claim?

Yes, filing a home insurance claim is likely to increase your premium. The amount of the increase depends on the type and value of the claim, your claims history, and your insurer. Larger, more frequent claims will likely lead to higher increases. For very small claims where the cost is close to your excess, it can be more cost-effective to pay out-of-pocket to avoid an increase.

Will my premium increase if I choose to claim?

Most claims are processed within 7–14 business days, though complex cases may take longer. Your insurer should keep you updated throughout the process though.