What is trace and access cover?

Trace and access is a common feature of buildings insurance. In broad terms it covers the reasonable cost of finding a hidden leak (the trace) and getting to it (the access: for example lifting a floor), and often making good the access afterwards. It is separate from the cost of repairing the pipe itself and from the resulting water damage, which other parts of a policy may deal with. (Full explainer: What is trace and access?)

So, will my insurance cover it?

Many buildings policies include trace and access cover, but not all, and limits vary. Typical policies set a cover limit and expect the leak to be from a defined insured source. The only way to know for certain is your own policy wording or a call to your insurer. We can’t promise what any insurer will pay, anyone who does should be treated with caution. What we can do is give your claim the evidence it needs.

What insurers usually want to see

1. Professional detection: the leak located with recognised methods (thermal imaging, acoustic, tracer gas, moisture mapping), not guesswork holes.
2. A written report: cause, location, evidence photos, and method. This is our core service: insurance-ready reports.
3. Proportionate access: targeted access at the located point, not exploratory damage.

DML provides exactly this package on our Trace & Access service: non-invasive detection, insurer-ready documentation, and clear findings you can hand straight to your claims handler.

What if the leak caused damp or mould?

Long-running leaks often leave damp walls or mould behind. We can assess that at the same visit, see damp surveys and mould inspections: and include it in the report where relevant to the claim.

The practical route (what to do now)

1. Stop the immediate damage (isolate water if you can; for urgent situations use our emergency leak detection).
2. Check your policy for “trace and access” (or ask your insurer or broker).
3. Book the detection survey: fixed price confirmed up front.
4. Send the report to your insurer with your claim.

Get a fixed price now

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Related services: Leak Detection · Trace & Access · Insurance Leak Investigations · Damp Surveys · Mould Inspections · Contact