Key Points
- Each policy's terms determine which leaks are covered; check your particular conditions.
- The legal deadline to report a claim is 7 days (art. 16 of the Spanish Insurance Contract Act, LCS); report it as soon as possible.
- Art. 18 LCS sets 40 days, from receipt of the claim notice, for payment of the minimum indemnity.
More information: electronic geophones and tracer gas (helium and hydrogen).
How to file a home insurance claim for a water leak: step-by-step guide
Follow these steps in order to file the claim.
Step 1: Act urgently to minimise damage
The first thing to do is to shut off the main stopcock of your home to stop the leak (or at least reduce it). If the water is affecting a neighbour, let them know immediately. The Spanish Insurance Contract Act (Ley de Contrato de Seguro, art. 17) obliges you to take reasonable measures to reduce the consequences of the claim.
Step 2: Document the damage before touching anything
Before cleaning or moving anything, take photos and videos of all the visible damage: damp stains, drips, swollen floors, lifted paint, affected furniture. This documentation will be crucial for the assessor's valuation.
Step 3: Notify the claim to your insurer
Call your insurer's claims line. The legal maximum period to report the claim is 7 days from when you become aware of it (art. 16 LCS). Our recommendation: do it as soon as possible.
Step 4: Receive the insurer's assessor
The insurance company will send an assessor to value the damage. This assessor works for the insurer, so their valuation tends to be conservative. This is where an independent expert report makes the difference.
Step 5: Request a professional expert report
Here Telefuga helps you with an independent technical report. Our leak expert report for insurance claims is a detailed technical document that includes:
- Location of the leak, with coordinates and a plan
- Technology used (geophone, tracer gas, thermography)
- Technical cause of the rupture
- Economic valuation of the repair
- Complete photographic documentation
- Signature of a qualified technician
Step 6: Negotiate the compensation
With the technical report, you can check the valuation made by the insurer's assessor and submit your own documentation.
More information: expert report.
Legal deadlines you need to know
Spanish legislation sets specific deadlines that protect the policyholder:
| Concept | Legal period | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of the claim | 7 days from knowledge of the claim | Art. 16 LCS |
| Payment of the minimum indemnity | 40 days from receipt of the claim notice | Art. 18 LCS |
| Late-payment interest | Legal interest increased by 50%; not less than 20% per year after two years from the claim | Art. 20 LCS |
| Limitation of actions (property insurance) | 2 years | Art. 23 LCS |
More information: non-invasive detection.
Frequently asked questions about insurance and water leaks
How long does insurance take to resolve a water leak?
Art. 18 LCS sets 40 days, from receipt of the claim notice, for payment of the minimum indemnity. Actual timings depend on each case.
More information: leak detection.
How much does leak detection cost if insurance does not cover it?
If your insurance does not cover the leak location, or if you prefer to act without waiting for the insurer, Telefuga offers detection services from €150, travel included.
The technique (electronic geophone, infrared thermography or others) is chosen according to the installation, and the result is recorded in a technical report with the repair recommendation.
We operate a 24-hour service in 5 provinces: Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, Albacete and Almería. For emergencies, you can contact us on 693 888 444 or request a quote directly on our website.
Conclusion
Whether home insurance covers each leak depends on the terms of your policy. Knowing them and acting quickly with documentation are the keys.
Do you have a leak and need your insurance to respond? Request your free quote or call us on 693 888 444. We are available to help you.
