“Trace and access” is one of the most useful clauses in a buildings insurance policy, and one of the least understood. Here’s what it really means, what it pays for, and where the limits sit.
The two halves of the phrase
Trace is the work of finding the leak — the detection survey itself. Access is the work of getting to it once found: lifting the floor, opening the wall, removing the unit in the way. Crucially, trace-and-access cover pays for finding and reaching the leak — and for putting back what had to be disturbed to do so.
What it typically covers
The cost of locating the source of an escape of water, the cost of accessing it, and the cost of making good afterwards — re-laying flooring, re-plastering, redecorating the opened area.
What it does — and doesn’t — pay for
This is where the misunderstanding usually lives. Trace and access covers getting to the leak and reinstating the disturbance. It generally does not cover:
- The repair of the pipe itself — that’s a separate plumbing cost, often modest.
- Damage caused by the water — ruined carpets, ceilings or contents fall under other parts of the policy (and may carry their own limits).
- Gradual issues an insurer deems “wear and tear” — which is why a clear, dated report matters so much.
Trace and access answers “how do we find and reach it” — not “who pays for the new kitchen”. Knowing the difference saves a lot of frustration.
Why the cover exists at all
Insurers would far rather pay for a £450 detection survey than a £4,000 guess. A specialist who pinpoints the leak means one precise opening instead of a speculative dig — less damage to make good, a smaller overall claim, and a faster resolution. The clause is there because it saves everyone money.
Check your policy before you assume
Most modern buildings policies include trace-and-access cover, but limits vary — commonly somewhere between £5,000 and £15,000 per claim. It’s worth knowing your number before you need it. If you’re mid-incident, a quick call to your insurer with the words “escape of water, trace and access” will usually confirm cover in minutes.
How we fit in
We provide the trace — the non-destructive survey — and a report written in the format claims teams expect. That report is what turns “I think there’s a leak” into an authorised, funded piece of work.