Does Home Insurance Cover Rising Damp?

Home insurance does not cover rising damp in most cases. Insurers treat it as a maintenance issue, not a sudden or unexpected event, which puts it outside the scope of most standard policies. There are exceptions, but they’re narrow. Here’s the full picture.

At a glance

• Home insurance almost never covers rising damp, it’s treated as a preventable maintenance issue
• If rising damp is triggered by a covered event, like a burst pipe, some resulting damage may be claimable
• Wear and tear, poor maintenance, and gradual deterioration are among the most common exclusions
• Prevention is far cheaper than cure, and insurers expect homeowners to stay on top of it

When you might be covered

Rising damp on its own is almost always excluded. But there are narrow circumstances where your buildings insurance could help:

• Burst pipe or escape of water: If a faulty pipe causes water saturation that leads to a damp issue, your insurer may cover the pipe repair and resulting water damage, though not the damp itself
• Flood damage: If an insured flood event contributes to damp patches in your property, some of the resulting damage may be covered under your buildings insurance policy
• Consequential structural damage: If rising damp is linked to a sudden covered event and causes structural damage, such as dry rot spreading through floor timbers, some policies may cover the knock-on effects, but this is rare and depends heavily on policy wording

If you think you have a valid claim, check your policy documents carefully and speak to your insurer before arranging any repairs.

Common exclusions

Rising damp is generally excluded from policies for one main reason: it’s considered avoidable. Here’s what typically rules out a claim:

• Wear and tear: DPC (damp-proof course) membranes degrade over time. If yours has not been maintained or replaced when needed, insurers will not step in
• Poor maintenance: Blocked gutters, insufficient ventilation, and faulty plumbing are considered homeowner responsibilities, not insurable events
• Gradual damage: Insurers draw a hard line between sudden, unexpected events and slow-developing problems. Rising damp is firmly in the latter category
• Pre-existing conditions: If damp patches were present before your policy started, or were flagged by a lender’s surveyor during a purchase, it is extremely unlikely to be covered
• Penetrating damp vs. rising damp: Some homeowners confuse the two. Penetrating damp enters through walls, roofs, or brickwork from outside. Rising damp travels upward from the ground. Both are typically excluded, but the cause matters when making a claim, so it is worth knowing the difference

Not sure about your specific policy? Go through your list of exclusions carefully. It’s important to know what’s ruled out before assuming you’re covered.

Can I prevent rising damp?

Yes, and insurers expect you to try. Rising damp in a UK home is largely preventable with regular attention:

• Check your DPC periodically and arrange damp proofing repairs if it is damaged or degraded
• Keep gutters and drains clear to manage water flow around the property
• Inspect brickwork, skirting boards, and ground-floor walls regularly for early signs of rising damp, including damp patches, salt deposits, and peeling paint
• Use a dehumidifier in moisture-prone rooms, particularly basements and ground-floor rooms with limited ventilation
• Install adequate ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms, and other damp-prone areas
• Fix leaks and plumbing issues as soon as they appear
• Consider a damp survey if you are buying an older property or have concerns about moisture levels

Catching a damp issue early is significantly cheaper than dealing with the consequences later, including dry rot in joists and skirting boards.

What if my claim is denied?

If your claim has been denied, here is what to do:

1. Ask your insurer for a clear, written explanation of the denial and which exclusion applies
2. Review your policy wording carefully to verify whether the exclusion is valid
3. If you believe the denial is unfair, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which handles disputes between policyholders and insurers regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority through financial services legislation
4. Get a professional damp proofing specialist to assess the extent of the problem and provide a written report. This may support your case if you challenge the decision
5. Focus on damage limitation while the dispute is ongoing and document everything with photos and written records

Before we go

Rising damp is one of the clearest gaps in standard home insurance cover, and it is unlikely to change. Insurers will always treat gradual, preventable damage as the homeowner’s responsibility. The best approach is to stay on top of maintenance, get familiar with your policy exclusions before you need to make a claim, and act quickly if you spot early signs of rising damp, damp patches on skirting boards, or deteriorating brickwork. 

If you are considering switching or shopping around, compare home insurance quotes to find a policy that is transparent about what is and is not covered. If you are a Lemonade customer, check your policy documents so there are no surprises when you need it most.

Rising damp FAQs