Water switches could save insurance industry millions

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

The Surestop Water Switch allows homeowners to turn off mains water at the flick of a switch and could well help the insurance industry reduce the ever increasing cost of escape of water claims.

Escape of water within a domestic property now represents one of the biggest risks for UK insurers. UK homeowners make more claims for burst pipes or water leaks than for either fire or theft and the average cost of a water damage claim for some insurers is now as high as £15,000.

Industry statistics provided by the Association of British Insurers show that water damage claims resulting from leaks and burst pipes are increasing each year with £93 million paid out by the industry in 2008 compared to £35 million in 2005. The current cold weather that we have seen in the UK is likely to mean a further increase for 2009 /10.

One of the main reasons why the cost of this type of claim is high is because of the difficulty people have in shutting off mains water, and the fact that many homeowners and business users do not turn off their mains water when they leave their property unattended for any length of time.

Research undertaken by the insurance industry highlighted the fact that in the event of a water leak as many as one in three people do not know where their stop-cock is located, and therefore would be powerless to do anything in the event of a water leak.

Even if you do know where the stopcock is located it is often hidden behind a kitchen cupboard or washing machine making it very difficult to access. If you are able to reach it stopcocks that haven’t been used on a regular basis can be extremely difficult to turn.

The Surestop water switch makes controlling mains water as easy as turning your lights off. The Surestop consists of a valve which connects directly into the water supply. This is connected by two metres of flexible tubing to a remote switch, which is located in a convenient position for the user. You then simply press the switch to turn the water supply on or off.

This means that the switch can be located in an easily accessible position such as above a kitchen worktop or just inside a kitchen cupboard door allowing you to turn water off in an emergency. However as it is so easy to use it makes it easy to turn off your mains water every time you leave your home.

The Surestop can typically be fitted by a plumber in 30-45 minutes and is operated by water pressure so it needs no batteries or electricity. While the Surestop may be a new product to many in the insurance industry, it is specified extensively by over 250 local authorities and housing associations and over 250,000 have been sold since its launch in 2001.

In the words of Noel O’Donnell Surestop Ltd’s, Sales and Marketing Director , the Surestop Water Switch offers real benefits for the home owner and the insurer: “Surestop’s are easy to install, easy to use and at around £30 - £35 they are not particularly expensive. They allow a homeowner to control their water supply in the event of a leak and therefore limit the potential damage, which is good for them and good for their insurer."

Surestop Ltd

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