Why maintenance matters for your buildings insurance
Buildings insurance is there for the storm that rips tiles off or the pipe that bursts. It generally isn't there for damage that built up over months because a gutter stayed blocked. Here's where the line sits, and how to stay on the right side of it.
The short answer
Insurers cover sudden, accidental damage. Damage caused by gradual deterioration or poor maintenance is generally excluded, so keeping gutters, roofs and walls in reasonable repair protects your claim as well as your house.
Accidental damage versus gradual damage
Most UK buildings policies draw a clear distinction. A sudden event, such as a storm, a fallen tree or an escape of water, is what the policy is for. Damage that develops slowly through wear and tear, or because a known problem was left, is usually excluded.
Having insurance doesn't mean the insurer will pay for damp, rot or leaks that have been developing for months or years. When a claim comes in, the question is what most likely caused the damage: a particular event, or something that happened gradually.
What insurers expect you to look after
Policies commonly ask you to keep the property in a reasonable state of repair. In practice that means the outside of the building:
| Area | Expected upkeep, and the risk if it's missed |
|---|---|
| Gutters and downpipes | Blockages cleared and leaks repaired. Otherwise: water getting into the walls, and damp. |
| Roof | Damaged or missing tiles replaced. Otherwise: rain getting into the property. |
| Fascias and soffits | Rotten or damaged sections repaired. Otherwise: water damage to the roof timbers. |
| Walls and render | Cracks and failing surfaces repaired. Otherwise: penetrating damp. |
| Drains | Known blockages and defects dealt with. Otherwise: flooding or sewage damage. |
| Windows and doors | Seals and frames maintained. Otherwise: water getting in. |
| Vegetation | Growth that affects the building kept in check. Otherwise: structural or drainage damage. |
What the insurance bodies say
The Association of British Insurers advises homeowners to clear leaves out of gutters and downpipes, repair damaged guttering, fix loose tiles and check drains for blockages, and says regular maintenance helps prevent more substantial damage.
The Financial Ombudsman Service, which settles disputes between customers and insurers, says an insurer relying on an exclusion has to show that it applies. It weighs the evidence, including expert reports and photos, to decide whether damage was most likely caused gradually or by a particular event. Where a problem could have been spotted and dealt with, and wasn't, that counts against the claim.
So one blocked gutter doesn't automatically void a policy. The outcome depends on the policy wording, the cause of the damage and the circumstances.
Keep a record
If a claim is ever disputed, the easiest way to show the property has been looked after is evidence: dated photos, invoices and inspection reports for the work done.
We take before-and-after photos of our work, and our reports for housing providers and facilities managers come as a PDF, so the record is there when you need it.
Is there a rule on how often?
No. There's no universal UK insurance requirement to have gutters professionally cleaned every six or twelve months, and you should be wary of anyone who says there is.
What insurers do expect is reasonable care: checking the outside of the house, and dealing with problems when they appear. For most homes, that means having the gutters looked at regularly and cleared when they need it.
Questions we're asked
Will my insurer refuse a claim because my gutters were blocked?
Not automatically. If the damage was most likely caused by the blockage building up over time, a gradual-damage or maintenance exclusion may apply. If it was a sudden event, it may well be covered. It depends on your policy wording and the evidence.
Do insurers require annual gutter cleaning?
No UK-wide rule says so. Policies expect reasonable maintenance, and keeping gutters clear is part of that, but how often depends on your house and what's around it.
What records should I keep?
Dated photos, invoices and any inspection reports for work on the roof, gutters, roofline and walls. Keep them somewhere you can find them if you ever need to make a claim.
Where we work
Based in Southampton, we cover Hampshire and the South Coast. Not on the list? Ask us: we cover the whole South Coast.
- Aldershot
- Andover
- Basingstoke
- Eastleigh
- Emsworth
- Fareham
- Farnborough
- Fleet
- Gosport
- Havant
- Hedge End
- Horndean
- Hythe
- Locks Heath, Warsash and Whiteley
- New Milton
- Portsmouth
- Southampton
- Stubbington
- Totton
- Winchester
Get a free exterior maintenance quote
Tell us about your property and we'll arrange a visit to survey it and give you an exact price. It costs nothing.