By AJ, certified Gas Safe engineer and lead plumber at 247 Emergency Plumbers Edinburgh · Checked
If water is escaping and your insurer’s helpline cannot send someone quickly, you can usually get an emergency plumber to stop the leak. MoneyHelper notes that with emergency repairs you often pay the tradesperson and claim the cost back. Before anything more than an emergency repair, check with your insurer whether you must use their contractors.
Key points
Emergency first
Stopping the water limits the damage, which insurers want too. A temporary repair to stop the leak is normally the first step.
Pay and claim back
MoneyHelper says that with emergency repairs you often have to pay the tradesperson yourself and then claim the cost back from your insurer.
Approved contractors
Some policies, especially home emergency cover, only pay if you use their approved contractors. Compare the Market advises confirming whether you must use the insurer’s tradespeople once a claim is approved.
Evidence
Whoever does the work, keep the photos, the report showing the cause and the invoice.
What to do
Stop the water and make it safe.
Call your insurer’s emergency line and note the time and what they tell you.
If they cannot attend in time, ask whether they will reimburse an emergency plumber, and get a claim reference.
Call a local plumber for the emergency repair, and ask for a written report with photos and the cause.
Send the report and invoice to your insurer, and wait for approval before permanent work.
How we can help
Emergency plumbers any time: under 60 minutes on average in Edinburgh (an average, not a guarantee)
Written report with photos and the cause, for your insurer
Insurer-referred jobs welcome
Leak and an insurance claim? We can help.
We find the leak, fix it and make good, and give you a written report with photos and the cause for your insurer. Insurer-referred jobs welcome. Callout from £75 in standard hours (out of hours £100–£180); leak detection £100–£225 labour. Repairs, making good and any drying are agreed before work starts.
Our emergency line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Every policy is different. This page is general guidance, not insurance or legal advice. Check your own policy and ask your insurer.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Helpful answers before you call.
Can I use my own plumber for an insurance claim?
Usually for an emergency repair to stop the water, then claim the cost back. For anything more, check with your insurer first, because some policies require their own contractors.
Will my insurer pay back an emergency plumber?
Often, if the emergency repair is covered and reasonable. Get a claim reference, keep the invoice and the plumber’s report, and check your policy.
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