Is Plumbing and Drainage Cover Worth It?

Here’s what’s important to understand: while some providers offer standalone plumbing insurance or drainage insurance, many insurers like Lemonade include plumbing and drainage protection as part of broader home emergency cover. This comprehensive approach often provides better value and more complete protection than separate policies.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about protecting your home from unexpected plumbing disasters, without the confusing jargon that makes your head spin.

What exactly is plumbing insurance and how does it work?

At Lemonade, plumbing insurance isn’t a standalone product. What people call “plumbing insurance” is actually plumbing and drainage cover that’s typically included under home emergency cover. 

Home emergency cover works differently from your standard home insurance policy. While your regular policy covers the damage after it’s happened (think replacing your waterlogged flooring), the plumbing and drainage element of emergency cover tackles the root cause to prevent further chaos. It’s the difference between cleaning up the mess and stopping the mess from getting worse.

This drainage insurance component works alongside your existing coverage, focusing on immediate response rather than compensation. When plumbing problems strike, you need action… not paperwork.

How emergency response actually works

When disaster strikes, you don’t want to be scrambling through your phone contacts at midnight trying to find an available tradesperson. Home emergency cover typically provides a 24/7 emergency helpline, quick response from qualified tradespeople, and immediate action to stop further damage.

The beauty of proper drainage cover lies in its simplicity: one phone call connects you to professional help, regardless of whether you’re dealing with blocked drains, leaking pipes, or a complete central heating failure. The plumbing and drainage elements are just part of a comprehensive emergency response system.

What does plumbing insurance cover?

Plumbing and drainage cover can be a lifesaver when urgent plumbing problems strike your home. However, not every situation qualifies for coverage, so it’s crucial to understand what’s included and what isn’t before you need to make a claim.

Here’s what you can typically expect drainage insurance and emergency plumbing protection to include:

What’s usually covered	What’s not covered
Blocked drains and waste pipes	Dripping taps and minor leaks
Burst pipes and leaking pipes	Sludge or scale buildup in heating systems
Water supply pipe leaks within your property	Frozen pipes without permanent damage
Blocked sinks and toilets	General wear and tear on pipework
Central heating and boiler breakdowns	Heat pumps and specialist heating systems
Annual boiler service (some policies)	External gas pipes (National Grid responsibility)
Emergency electrical repairs	Commercial drainage systems
Security issues (broken locks, windows)	Boiler service for routine maintenance
Temporary accommodation during major repairs

Additional exclusions include accidental damage from poor workmanship and property damage that exceeds your cover limits.  

What’s the difference between plumbing maintenance and emergencies? 

Insurance providers distinguish between sudden emergencies and routine upkeep. Water damage from burst pipes at 3 AM gets immediate response, while a dripping tap you’ve ignored for weeks doesn’t. Blocked drains flooding your kitchen qualify for emergency callouts, but gradual blockages building over time might not.

Does Lemonade offer home emergency cover?

Yes, Lemonade offers home emergency cover as an add-on to home insurance policies, providing up to £1,000 per emergency event through the 24/7 helpline at 0345 030 8709.

Here’s what’s covered:

Emergency	What’s covered?	Special features?
Heating System	Boiler breakdowns, no hot water supply	Temporary heaters if repairs take 2+ days; £500 towards replacement if beyond repair
Plumbing & Drains	Blocked drains, burst pipes, sudden water damage	Immediate response to prevent further damage
Electrical System	Wiring failures affecting essential systems	Focus on restoring power to critical areas
Security Issues	Lockouts, window/door security problems	Emergency access and securing services

Unlike traditional drainage insurance that reimburses you after you’ve found and paid a plumber yourself, home emergency cover connects you directly with pre-approved tradespeople who respond immediately.

When your water supply pipe bursts at midnight, there’s no hunting through directories, getting quotes, or paying upfront costs. The emergency helpline dispatches qualified professionals with authority to spend up to £1,000 fixing your problem on the spot, no pre-approval needed for parts or labour while water damage spreads through your home.

How can I file a plumbing insurance claim? 

When genuine emergencies occur, the process should be straightforward. Call your dedicated emergency helpline, describe the problem clearly, prioritise safety if water damage or electrical issues are involved, and let qualified professionals handle the technical work.

Don’t attempt DIY repairs on complex drainage systems or plumbing systems, this often voids coverage and can worsen the original problem. Professional tradespeople carry the tools, experience, and authority to fix problems properly the first time.

Most policies require using their approved network of professionals to maintain quality standards and honour cover limits. While this might seem restrictive, it ensures you get qualified help rather than risking cowboys who might make drainage issues worse.

Is plumbing insurance worth the investment?

Home emergency cover typically costs just a few extra pounds per month when added to your existing home insurance policy, making it one of the most cost-effective protections you can buy. When you compare this modest insurance cost against potential emergency expenses, the value becomes crystal clear.

Emergency plumbing costs

Consider these average costs for common plumbing problems that require immediate callouts:

Emergency type	Average cost
Blocked drains	£175
Sewer backup	£175
Loss of boiler pressure	£182
Gas leak/repairing gas pipes	£165
Boiler breakdown	£275
Hot water tank repair	£400
Blocked sink or toilet	£100
Broken pipe	£100

These figures don’t include water damage to your belongings, lost work time coordinating repairs, or the stress of finding reliable tradespeople during emergencies. Many plumbers also charge minimum one-hour fees plus weekend and evening premiums, costs that can easily double during genuine emergencies.

Before we go… 

Plumbing insurance through home emergency cover isn’t just sensible protection, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to safeguard your home against expensive disasters. For a few pounds monthly, you transform potentially devastating emergencies into manageable inconveniences with professional support just a phone call away. Whether you’re dealing with burst pipes flooding your kitchen or a boiler breakdown leaving you without heat, drainage cover ensures qualified tradespeople respond immediately without the usual scramble to find available professionals.

Don’t wait until you’re mopping up water damage at 2 AM to discover the value of proper protection. Getting an insurance quote takes just minutes and could save you hundreds when plumbing problems inevitably strike.

Plumbing insurance FAQs