Confidence
Medium
Summary
The damage described is caused by moisture seeping through the walls, which is classified as rising damp. The policy explicitly excludes coverage for rising damp and similar moisture problems that are not the result of a sudden, accidental water flow from a pipe or appliance. Therefore, the claim is not covered.
Coverage Analysis
The claim states that water has entered the walls from beneath the house after a leak caused by a neighboring contractor, resulting in damp spots and potential structural damage. According to the policy, damage from precipitation is only covered when it enters the home directly (e.g., rain through the roof). Damage that enters through walls or floors as “rising damp” is expressly excluded. Additionally, the water‑damage clause limits coverage to sudden, accidental flows from pipes, appliances, or similar sources, not to moisture that permeates through building fabric. Because the reported damage falls under the excluded “rising damp” category and does not meet the definition of an insured water event, the claim is uncovered.
Applicable Clauses
- Quote: “Not insured: damage due to: precipitation that has entered your home through open windows, doors, skylights and shutters or holes in roofs and walls. groundwater or changes in groundwater level. rising damp that has entered your home through walls or floors.”
Source: PWR-0125 Woonhuisverzekering Royaal_translated_eng 1.pdf Page: 5 Relevance: Directly excludes the type of moisture ingress described in the claim.
- Quote: “You are insured against damage due to water or steam only if this flows unexpectedly from: a clogged, broken or burst water‑ or sewer pipe … a drain that suddenly and unexpectedly overflows or leaks … Not insured: water flowed from open taps, sprinkler systems, garden hoses … Also not if they are connected to the central heating system moisture‑permeable floor or wall finishes that should be watertight, such as tiles or (caulking) joints.”
Source: PWR-0125 Woonhuisverzekering Royaal_translated_eng 1.pdf Page: 5 Relevance: Shows that the policy only covers sudden pipe‑related water flow, not gradual seepage through walls.
- Quote: “The insurance offers no coverage if the damage is caused by or related to: … Ground subsidence, ground movement, vibrations, groundwater or water extraction. … Moisture problems due to excess condensation or insufficient ventilation.”
Source: PWR-0125 Woonhuisverzekering Royaal_translated_eng 1.pdf Page: 12 Relevance: Reinforces that moisture‑related issues not caused by a sudden event are excluded.
Key Reasons
- The damage is classified as rising damp, which is explicitly excluded.
- No sudden, accidental water flow from a pipe or appliance is reported.
- Policy exclusions cover moisture problems that arise through walls/floors.
Recommendation
Reject the claim on the basis that the damage falls under the policy’s exclusion for rising damp.
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