Escape of water remains one of the biggest sources of property insurance claims in the UK, prompting insurers to look beyond traditional claims response and towards prevention. Analysis from leak prevention firm Quensus suggests connected building technology could help insurers identify and mitigate water risks before they result in costly damage.
Aviva recorded 26,845 escape-of-water claims between 2023 and 2025, with an average claim cost of £11,273. The scale of these losses is putting greater focus on how insurers can reduce both the frequency and severity of water-related incidents across residential and commercial properties.
Traditionally, property insurance has centred on assessing exposure, pricing risk and responding when a loss occurs. Connected building technology is changing that model by allowing insurers and property owners to monitor risks continuously. Sensors can track water flow and consumption, identify unusual patterns and, in more advanced systems, automatically shut off the water supply when a leak is detected.
Quensus’ LeakNet platform uses IoT technology to continuously monitor water flow and AI to identify potential leaks. The system can also automatically isolate the water supply to limit damage. Quensus is working with Aviva on proactive water risk mitigation, using connected monitoring and prevention technology as part of a broader approach to reducing escape-of-water losses.
For insurers, the data generated by these systems could be as important as the technology itself. Water consumption patterns, alerts, response times and records of remedial work can provide greater visibility into how individual properties are managing their exposure.
This could give underwriters an additional source of information when assessing property risk. However, installing connected monitoring technology does not automatically mean a property will receive lower premiums. Pricing remains dependent on factors including the insurer, property characteristics and claims history.
The technology also has applications beyond insurance. Data generated through connected water monitoring can support water-efficiency initiatives, sustainability reporting and facilities management, potentially increasing its value to landlords and property owners.
The shift towards prevention reflects a broader change across InsurTech, as technology increasingly moves beyond digitising insurance processes and towards actively reducing risk. Rather than simply paying for damage after an incident, insurers can use connected technology to intervene earlier and potentially prevent a claim altogether.
Scaling this approach will require more than installing sensors. Continuous monitoring, standardised installation, performance reporting and integration with existing insurer and property-management workflows will all be important. Insurers and property owners also need the capacity to respond when technology identifies a potential risk.
Escape of water provides a clear example of the potential. A leak detected and isolated early could remain a relatively minor maintenance issue rather than developing into a significant insurance claim. Quensus’ analysis highlights how connected building technology could give insurers greater visibility over water risks while helping shift property insurance towards earlier intervention and loss prevention.
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