McLarens' latest analysis of more than 3,000 escape-of-water (EOW) claims has found that trace-and-access cover was required in just over half of all losses, highlighting how concealed pipework and modern construction methods continue to inflate both the scale and cost of EOW incidents.
The review, conducted by the firm’s European Real Estate team and covering claims recorded between 2023 and 2025, reinforces industry concerns that the underlying causes of EOW have changed little, even as the complexity of losses continues to rise.
The structure of contemporary residential and commercial buildings remains a central factor, with pipework increasingly buried behind decorative finishes, inside floor and ceiling voids, or integrated within factory-built bathroom pods. Adjusters often need to undertake extensive destructive work before repairs can begin.
McLarens noted that small issues that might have once resulted in low-value claims are frequently turning into major losses because concealed pipework can hide multiple leaks that develop over months or even years, and that regular inspections in multi-tenanted or corporately owned properties are often not happening.
Changes in the buy-to-let market are also influencing the pattern of losses. McLarens’ adjusters report a rise in long-standing issues being discovered only when properties change hands or are transferred into limited-company ownership structures, a shift accelerated by landlord exits and tax changes. The firm observed that many of these properties had deferred maintenance or restricted access, which, when combined with hidden pipework, results in larger and more complex losses.
The firm’s 2023 to 2025 dataset showed several persistent patterns across EOW claims -- plastic pipes were the leading point of escape (28% of all claims), non-corrosive failure such as joint or fitting failure was the most common cause (46%), incidents were heavily concentrated on upper floors (67% of losses), and nearly half of all failed installations (47%) were more than 15 years old.
McLarens concluded that escape of water remains one of the most stubborn challenges in property claims.
While the underlying causes have not changed, modern design, ownership structures, and occupancy patterns are amplifying their impact. The firm highlighted that proactive inspection and maintenance could significantly reduce or even prevent many of these losses, making it a critical area for insurers, brokers, and property owners to address.
