Case Study: Going the extra mile: securing comprehensive cover after a significant escape of water claim

Helping a busy homeowner secure the right cover – market expertise when it mattered most.

When high-value homes come with challenging claims, securing the right insurance isn’t always straightforward. This was the case for one of our clients, whose significant escape of water claim made it difficult to find a policy that would offer the protection they needed. With limited time to explore the market themselves, they turned to Howden, and to Private Client broker Nick Beckingham, to help navigate their options and put the right cover in place.

The challenge

Our client owned a rural property with extensive grounds, this meant they required a robust high-net-worth home insurance policy with wide‑ranging liability protection.

However, securing suitable cover proved difficult. Around two and a half years earlier, the client had suffered a major escape of water (EOW) incident, resulting in a high-value claim. As many homeowners discover, even a single recent EOW claim can restrict options when switching insurers, and some providers may increase the EOW excess or impose cover limitations.

With a busy schedule and limited time to review the market themselves, the client turned to us for support.

Our approach

Private Client broker Nick Beckingham stepped in to help. Drawing on his market knowledge and insurer relationships, he explored options that could accommodate the client’s claims history while still providing the level of cover they needed.

Nick identified that Covéa would be willing to consider offering EOW cover, provided a proactive risk-mitigation measure was put into place. Covéa offered a clear way forward: they would include EOW cover if the client installed a complimentary LeakBot device.

Nick managed the entire process from end to end, from liaising with Covéa to arranging the Leakbot order and installation. This ensured a smooth experience for the client, who didn’t need to spend valuable time having multiple conversations with insurers.

The outcome

Thanks to this approach and Nick’s persistence, we were able to secure:

• A high‑net‑worth home insurance policy that met all the client’s needs
• Escape of Water cover included, despite the previous sizeable claim
• Added peace of mind through the LeakBot device

The client achieved comprehensive protection without compromising on quality - something that had seemed unlikely before approaching Howden.

Supporting clients with risk management

Our Risk Management team plays a vital role in helping clients reduce the likelihood of a claim - and ensuring that if one does occur, the policy responds exactly as expected.

It’s important to note:

• More than one escape of water claim within five years can make it difficult to secure home insurance.
• Even a single recent EOW claim can restrict your options when switching insurers.
• Following an EOW claim, insurers may apply an increased escape-of-water excess or place restrictions on cover unless risk‑mitigation measures are taken.

By working closely with insurers and advising clients on steps such as LeakBot installation, we help make insurance more accessible, even after a complex or costly claim.

Key takeway

This case highlights the value of having an experienced broker on your side.

Navigating the market after a significant claim can be complex, and the difference between policies is often hidden in the detail. Without the guidance of a broker, the client could easily have ended up with a policy that excluded EOW cover entirely - or one with an EOW excess. By working with Nick, they secured comprehensive protection and meaningful risk‑management support.