Water Damage in Luxembourg: what to do and how to obtain compensation
Water damage is a claim caused by the accidental action of water on a property (leaks, overflows or water ingress). To be covered under home insurance, the incident must be sudden and unforeseen. In the event of water damage in Luxembourg, you should: turn off the water supply, switch off the electricity in the affected areas, remove the water, protect your furniture, take photographs of the damage, then report the claim to your insurer within eight working days.
↓ What is considered water damage?
↓ The most common causes of water damage
↓ The types of property and appliances affected
↓ What should you do in the event of water damage?
↓ Who pays in the event of a dispute between a tenant and a landlord?
↓ What compensation and reimbursement can you expect?
↓ Frequently Asked Questions about water damage
Water damage refers to any claim caused by the accidental action of water on a property. For insurance purposes, this covers damage caused by leaks, overflows or water ingress that affects both the building and its contents. To be covered under home insurance, the incident must be sudden and unforeseen.
Water damage can occur for several reasons:
- A leaking pipe (burst pipe or faulty seal).
- A faulty appliance (washing machine, dishwasher or water heater).
- An overflowing bath, sink or sanitary fitting.
- Water entering through the roof, particularly during heavy rainfall or as a result of defective waterproofing.
- A sewer backflow, although less common, is also one of the situations covered.
- Exceptional weather conditions that cause a large volume of water to enter the property.
Water damage can affect various parts of a home. Walls, floors and ceilings are often the first elements to be affected, with signs of damp, water stains or damage to the surface finish. Furniture may also be damaged by water.
Among household appliances, washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters are the items most frequently involved in this type of claim, either as the source of the leak or as property damaged by it.
As soon as you discover water damage, it is important to take several emergency measures to prevent the situation from worsening. Start by turning off the main water supply to your property. It is generally located near the water meter or beneath the sink. If the leak originates from a neighbouring property or from the communal areas of the building, inform your neighbour immediately or contact the property manager.
Next, switch off the electricity in the affected areas to eliminate any risk of electric shock, especially if the water is approaching electrical sockets or connected appliances. Remove as much water as possible using towels or a suitable wet vacuum cleaner, then move your furniture and valuable belongings away from the flooded area. Finally, take photographs of all the damage from several angles. These photographs will provide essential evidence in support of your compensation claim.
How to report the claim to your insurer?
Once the property has been made safe, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible. The usual time limit for reporting water damage is five working days from the date on which the damage is discovered.
When submitting your claim, have your policy number, the address of the affected property and a precise description of the cause of the damage ready, for example a leaking pipe, an appliance overflow or water entering through the ceiling. Include your photographs and any relevant supporting documents, such as invoices or witness statements. The easiest way to report your claim is via your myBaloise customer area. You can also contact your agent or customer care service.
When water damage occurs in a rented property, the question of financial responsibility immediately arises. The allocation of responsibility depends primarily on the origin of the damage and the nature of the damaged elements to determine who is liable.
The tenant's obligations and liability
The tenant is responsible for the routine maintenance of the property and for any damage resulting from a lack of maintenance or improper use. This includes tap seals, shower hoses, minor plumbing repairs and household appliances installed by the tenant (washing machine, dishwasher, etc.). If water damage results from a worn seal that has not been replaced or from a shower hose that has failed due to a lack of maintenance, it is the tenant's home insurance policy that will provide cover.
The landlord's obligations and liability
The landlord, on the other hand, is responsible for the structural elements and permanent installations of the property. This includes concealed pipework, the roof, fixed sanitary installations, drainage systems and any equipment affected by wear and tear or by a construction defect. If water damage is caused by ageing pipework or water ingress through the roof, it is the landlord's non-occupying owner's insurance policy that will cover the repairs.
What about a jointly owned building?
In a jointly owned building, the situation becomes more complex. Where the damage originates from the common parts of the building (rising mains, underground pipework or the shared roof), responsibility lies with the co-owners' association. The property manager then reports the claim to the building's insurance policy, which has been compulsory since 2014. This distinction is essential to identify the correct insurer to contact without delay.
The table below summarises the allocation of responsibilities:
|
Type of damage |
Responsible party |
Relevant insurance policy |
|
Tap seal, shower hose |
Tenant |
Tenant's home insurance |
|
Tenant's household appliance |
Tenant |
Tenant's home insurance |
|
Ageing concealed pipework |
Landlord |
Non-occupying owner's insurance |
|
Roof, structural water ingress |
Landlord |
Non-occupying owner's insurance |
|
Common parts (rising mains, terrace, etc.) |
Co-ownership |
Building insurance |
For more information on how responsibilities are allocated, see our article on : "Water damage: tenant or landlord?"
The water damage cover included in your home insurance policy generally covers the cost of repairs and the restoration of your property following a claim. This includes damage to walls, floors and ceilings, as well as the replacement of damaged belongings, such as furniture or electrical equipment. The amount of compensation depends on the extent of the damage identified and, on the terms, and conditions of your policy.
However, it is important to note the common exclusions. Damage resulting from excessive humidity, condensation or a lack of maintenance is generally not covered. If you need to leave your home temporarily while the repair work is being carried out, some policies provide cover for temporary accommodation costs. For buy-to-let landlords, a loss of rental income extension may compensate for rental income lost during the restoration period.
The expert's visit and the timeframe for carrying out the repairs
Once you have submitted your claim to your insurer, they may appoint a loss adjuster to assess the extent of the damage and determine the amount of compensation.
During the inspection, the loss adjuster will examine the affected areas, identify the cause of the damage and prepare a detailed report. This report serves as the basis for determining the amount of compensation payable. Once the assessment has been completed and the insurer has approved the claim, the restoration work can begin.
In general, you have 8 working days from the date on which the damage is discovered, unless exceptional circumstances apply. To report your claim, have your policy number, a precise description of the cause of the damage and photographs of the damage ready. Do not wait until you have gathered all the supporting documents before contacting your insurer. Notify them as soon as possible and provide any additional documents at a later stage if necessary.
Damage caused by persistent damp, condensation or a clear lack of maintenance is not covered under the water damage section of a home insurance policy.
The cost of water damage varies considerably depending on the extent of the damage, the size of the affected area and the equipment involved. For a minor incident detected quickly, requiring only limited painting work and the replacement of very little equipment, the cost may range from €500 to €1,600. However, significant water damage requiring specialist drying, electrical repairs and the restoration of several rooms may cost between €3,000 and €5,000, and in the most serious cases involving several floors of a jointly owned building, the cost may exceed €30,000. The final amount depends in particular on the type of flooring that needs to be replaced, the condition of the pipes and plumbing system, and whether specialist intervention is required.
Allow the ceiling to dry completely, which may take several weeks. Apply an anti-mould treatment, fill any cracks and damaged areas with filler, sand the surface and then repaint it. Contact your neighbour and the property manager if the water is entering from the floor above.
The drying time varies considerably depending on the severity of the damage and the materials affected. In the case of minor water damage, it may take anything from a few days to one week. However, if water has penetrated deep into the walls or ceilings, the drying process may take several weeks or even several months for dense materials such as stone. The use of professional dehumidifiers considerably speeds up the drying process and reduces the risk of mould developing. Do not rely solely on the appearance of the surface. A wall may feel dry to the touch while moisture is still present deep inside.
It is essential to wait until the surfaces are completely dry before repainting them. Otherwise, blistering, peeling or mould may develop beneath the new coat of paint. As a general rule, you should wait at least three to four weeks after the incident, and up to two or three months if the damage was extensive. A professional can measure the residual moisture level to confirm that the surface is ready for painting. Repainting too soon traps moisture inside the wall, which may compromise the repair over the long term. If the damage has affected your bathroom, be particularly vigilant, as this room is naturally more exposed to humidity.