Storm damage, burst pipes and damage from break-ins are the top reasons why landlords make insurance claims – with conservatories looking especially vulnerable.

Analysis of over 100,000 policies showed that storm damage costs an average of £1,500 to repair.

Next was damage to ceilings, walls and carpets caused by burst pipe with an average £4,500 repair bill. The third most common reason for making a claim was property damage caused by burglars with an average claim of £2,300.

Vandalism was in fourth place, followed by accidental damage to the building, excessive rain, collapsed drains and vehicles crashing into the property (average claim £4,600).

The single most expensive cause for claims relate to damage caused by electrical fire, averaging £25,000 to put right.

The figures are from Simple Landlords Insurance, which says that one claim by a landlord  last year was to replace a conservatory roof where every single pane was punctured by hailstones last July.

In another claim last year, a landlord claimed over £11,000 to repair a conservatory after two panels were ripped off in high winds, ruining solid oak floors.

Top 10 reasons that landlords make an insurance claim

 

  The damage Average repair cost
1 Storm damage £1,500
2 Burst pipe £4,500
3 Damage from break ins £2,300
4 Vandalism £1,900
5 Accidental damage to the building £2,200
6 Excessive rain £2,100
7 Collapsed drains £2,600
8 Vehicle crashing into the property £4,600
9 Electrical fire £25,000
10 Leak from the Property £2,000
 

Average

 £4,600

The report makes interesting reading, warning that many landlords do not include accidental damage in their cover.