Grange Plumbing"Trace and access" is one of those insurance terms that only really matters the day you need it — usually right after a plumber has told you there's a hidden leak somewhere under the floor or garden. It causes a lot of confusion, because it sounds like it should cover everything to do with finding and fixing a leak, but in practice it's quite narrow. Here's what it actually covers, what it doesn't, and how it interacts with an underground supply pipe leak.
What trace and access cover actually pays for
Short answer
Trace and access insurance covers the cost of locating a hidden leak and gaining access to it — for example digging a pit to expose a buried supply pipe — plus usually the cost of reinstating the area afterwards.
Trace and access is a standard feature on most UK buildings insurance policies. It covers the cost of finding a leak that isn't visible — for example under a solid floor, behind a tiled wall, or underground — and the cost of accessing it, such as lifting floorboards, removing tiles, or excavating a small area of garden or driveway.
Usually covered
The detective work and the disruption caused by getting to the leak.
- Leak detection survey costs
- Lifting and relaying flooring
- Breaking into and making good a wall
- Excavating and reinstating a small area of garden or drive
Usually NOT covered
The actual plumbing repair to stop the leak.
- Repairing or replacing the leaking pipe
- Replacing an old lead or corroded supply pipe
- Betterment — e.g. upgrading pipe size or material
- Damage that existed before the policy started
Why the pipe repair itself usually isn't included
Short answer
Standard buildings insurance treats a worn-out or corroded pipe as a maintenance issue, not an insurable event, so the cost of the pipe repair itself is usually excluded even though the resulting access and reinstatement work is covered.
Insurers see trace and access as covering the cost of an insured event (escaping water) causing damage to the building fabric — not the underlying wear and tear of the pipe that failed. Most buildings policies specifically exclude the cost of repairing or replacing the pipe, tank or appliance that caused the leak, on the basis that maintaining your own pipework is the homeowner's responsibility.
Supply pipe insurance
Many water companies (and some home emergency providers) sell optional supply pipe cover for a few pounds a month. This is the policy that actually pays towards repairing or replacing the pipe — it's worth checking if you have it before assuming you're not covered at all.
Home emergency cover
Some home emergency add-ons include a contribution towards emergency pipe repairs, though usually with a lower monetary limit than dedicated supply pipe insurance.
How this plays out with an underground supply pipe leak
Short answer
For a leaking underground supply pipe, buildings insurance may cover finding the leak and reinstating the ground, but the pipe repair or replacement itself is normally down to the homeowner unless you separately hold supply pipe cover.
In practice, if a buried supply pipe is confirmed to be leaking, your buildings insurer may pay for the leak detection survey and the excavation and reinstatement of the driveway or garden — but you'll likely be asked to pay for, or separately claim for, the pipe repair or replacement itself. This is exactly why it pays to know your policy details before booking work, and why keeping a clear leak detection report with photographs matters.
Whose responsibility is the pipe in the first place?
Before worrying about insurance, it's worth confirming whether the leak sits on your side of the boundary at all. See our guide on <a href="/blog/who-is-responsible-for-water-supply-pipe-leak">who is responsible for a leaking water supply pipe</a>.
Making a trace and access claim smoothly
Short answer
Get an independent leak detection report and photographic evidence before work starts, then contact your insurer to confirm what's covered before any excavation or repair goes ahead.
Insurers want clear evidence before they'll pay out, so the order of operations matters. Get a proper leak detection survey first, keep the written report and photographs, then contact your insurer before any excavation or repair work begins where possible.
- 1
Book a leak detection survey
A non-invasive survey using acoustic and thermal equipment pinpoints the leak and gives you a written report — the evidence insurers ask for.
- 2
Contact your insurer
Check your policy schedule for trace and access cover and any monetary limit, then notify them of the claim before committing to work if you can.
- 3
Access and repair
We open up only the confirmed leak location, repair or replace the pipe — using trenchless moling where a full replacement is needed — then reinstate the ground.
- 4
Submit invoices and photos
Keep itemised invoices separating detection, access/reinstatement and pipe repair costs, since these may be treated differently by your insurer.
Key takeaways
- Trace and access cover pays for the cost of locating a hidden leak and accessing it — lifting flooring, breaking into a wall, digging a small area.
- It does not usually pay to repair or replace the leaking pipe itself.
- Reinstatement (making good the floor, wall or paving afterwards) is included on most policies, but check the limit.
- Supply pipe cover is a separate, optional add-on that some water companies and insurers sell — this is what actually pays for the pipe.
- Get a written leak detection report and photos before any work starts — insurers ask for this as evidence.
- Always check your policy schedule and any monetary limit before assuming you're covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does trace and access cover the cost of a new water main?
No. Trace and access typically covers finding the leak and reinstating the area afterwards, not the cost of the new pipe. If you want the pipe itself covered, check whether you hold separate supply pipe insurance.
Is trace and access automatically included in buildings insurance?
It's included on most standard UK buildings policies, but always check your specific schedule and any monetary limit — some policies cap it at a few thousand pounds.
What evidence do insurers ask for?
Usually a leak detection report showing where the leak is and why the area needs to be opened up, plus photographs before, during and after the work.
Can I choose my own contractor for trace and access work?
Most policies let you use your own contractor, though some insurers prefer to appoint one. Check your policy wording, and get any invoices itemised clearly if you're paying and claiming back.
Does trace and access cover a leak under my driveway?
It can cover the cost of excavating and reinstating a small area of driveway to access the leak, but not the cost of replacing the leaking pipe itself. Our water main replacement cost guide gives typical figures for the pipe work.
What if the leak turns out to be the water company's responsibility?
If it's on the communication pipe up to your boundary, the water company repairs it free of charge and your insurance isn't needed at all. See our guide on who is responsible for a leaking water supply pipe.
More guides from Grange Plumbing
- How to Tell If Your Home Has Lead Water Pipes
- Underground Water Leaks: The Hidden Signs Every UK Homeowner Should Know
- Burst Water Main? What to Do in the First 10 Minutes
- Water Main Replacement Cost UK — 2026 Guide
- What Is Moling and Why Is It Better Than Digging?
- 7 Signs Your Water Supply Pipe Needs Replacing
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