A common plumbing component found beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks across Australia is quietly becoming one of the more significant drivers of home insurance losses, as claim costs tied to burst flexi-hoses climb and industry data suggest the underlying behavioural conditions are not improving. Suncorp Group published figures showing the average payout for a burst flexi-hose claim reached $30,000 in 2026, up from $27,500 the previous year. At the extreme end, 6% of such claims exceeded $100,000. Taken together, flexi-hose failures accounted for one in every 10 home insurance claims Suncorp processed in 2025 – a ratio that has held steady for several years even as individual claim values have grown.
The fittings themselves – rubber hoses encased in stainless steel braiding, used to connect water supply lines to taps and fixtures – retail for less than $20 at most hardware stores. When they fail, however, the consequences can be severe. A single burst hose can discharge water continuously for hours or days if a property is unoccupied, and the resulting damage frequently extends across multiple rooms. Paul Callanan, Suncorp’s head of claims and assessing, said the pattern of failure was consistent but the financial consequences had grown more serious. “This figure has remained stubbornly consistent year after year, but what has changed dramatically is the scale of destruction when they fail. With building and labour costs escalating due to external factors outside our control, and an increasing trend to open-plan home design, we’re only going to see the costs of these flexi-hose failures increase,” Callanan said. He attributed most failures to a small set of causes. “Flexi-hoses aren’t designed to last forever. They degrade silently, and by the time you notice a problem, it’s often too late. The culprit is almost always the same – either corrosion, rust, or a hose that was twisted or kinked during installation,” he said.
Suncorp provided details of one claim from Queensland in which a bathroom flexi-hose gave way while the property’s occupants were abroad. The leak went undetected for roughly two days before anyone could respond. “Water tore through the master bedroom, ensuite, four additional bedrooms, the kitchen, lounge, and study. The family was displaced for months while the home was gutted and rebuilt, with the final bill costing more than $500,000,” Callanan said.
Callanan added that the disruption extended beyond the financial dimension. “We’re seeing homes that need to be virtually gutted and rebuilt because of a burst flexi-hose. That’s a life-disrupting event for a family, not just a financial one,” he said. Suncorp’s data indicate that two flexi-hoses per household are, on average, at risk of failure at any given point. Despite this, 60% of homeowners surveyed by the insurer said they had never arranged an inspection of their plumbing connections.
Findings from Allianz Australia’s October 2025 Home Care Report – drawn from a nationally representative survey of 1,007 homeowners – are consistent with Suncorp’s observations. Two in five respondents said they did not maintain their homes on a regular basis, or at all. A further 16% said they acted only when they thought of it, and 12% only when someone else raised the issue. The gap does not appear to stem from a lack of understanding. Ninety-four percent of those surveyed said they were aware of the risks associated with deferred maintenance, and 89% said routine upkeep was worth doing. The barriers cited were primarily practical: 35% of respondents pointed to financial pressure, while 32% described the ongoing demands of home upkeep as a source of disengagement. Allianz’s own claims data recorded more than 19,000 payouts for burst pipes and water damage in 2024. The insurer noted that a portion of those losses might have been avoided had policyholders replaced ageing flexi-hoses or checked seals and fixtures before problems developed.
Suncorp said homeowners should visually check under-sink connections at least twice a year for signs of corrosion, fraying, or distortion, and should isolate water supply at the mains before leaving a property unoccupied for more than 24 hours. The insurer also said hose replacements should be carried out by a licensed plumber using quality components rather than the lowest-cost fittings available. “If you spot any fraying, rust, or kinking, call a licensed plumber immediately. This is especially vital before heading off on holidays, or if you’re leaving the house for an extended period – turn your water off at the mains,” Callanan said.
