Home maintenance tasks that can help you avoid costly insurance claims

Home insurance offers valuable protection for the unexpected, however some homeowners could be putting their home and contents at risk by failing to carry out regular maintenance checks and repairs. Many policies require people to keep their home in good order and may not cover items that were damaged due to wear and tear, poor upkeep or avoiding standard maintenance.

From preventing water damage to reducing fire risks, regular home maintenance plays an important role in protecting both your property and your insurance coverage. By doing simple checks and seasonal upkeep, homeowners can catch problems early. This helps avoid costly repairs and the chance of a claim being rejected due to preventable damage.

Our new research shows the top home insurance claims from the past year. It also highlights the home maintenance tasks UK homeowners search for most, when these jobs should be carried out, and which DIY tasks people find most confusing.

 

The most common home insurance claims of the past year

 

Home insurance claims can happen when you least expect them, but some are far more common than others. By recognising these common claims, homeowners can take action to prevent damage. This understanding also helps ensure they have the right level of insurance cover for unexpected emergencies.

Our latest analysis of internal claims data reveals the most common claims homeowners made in 2025/26, offering valuable insight into the risks affecting UK properties today. The data revealed that ‘escape of water’ is the biggest risk facing homeowners, accounting for 24.4% of all home insurance claims in the past year. Accounting for almost one in four claims, escape of water refers to the accidental release of water from plumbing systems or household appliances, often resulting in significant damage to a property.

Typical causes include burst or frozen pipes, leaking central heating systems, overflowing water tanks, washing machine leaks, and damaged plumbing. Even a small leak can cause costly damage to property and personal belongings. That's why early detection, quick repairs, and regular maintenance are crucial to lowering the risk of a claim.

Accidental damage was the second most common home insurance claim, accounting for 18.3% of all claims in 2025/26. These claims typically arise from everyday mishaps, such as spilling food or paint on carpets, DIY disasters, or accidentally breaking windows. While unintentional, these incidents can result in expensive repairs or replacements, making accidental damage cover a valuable addition to many home insurance policies.

Storm damage ranked third, representing 17.1% of claims, underlining the ongoing impact of severe weather on UK homes. Heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and extreme heat can damage buildings. This includes roofs, windows, fences, and internal areas if water gets inside.

As extreme weather becomes more frequent in the UK, the insurance industry is facing hardship – in 2025, insurers paid out £1.2 billion^[1] in weather‑related property claims, a steep 14% (£142 million) increase compared with 2024. Of this, claims for weather damage to people’s homes and possessions accounted for £758 million.

This highlights the importance of making regular property maintenance a priority. It also reinforces the need to have adequate home insurance to protect against the growing risk of weather-related damage.

 

  

 

Brits’ most searched-for home maintenance tasks 

The home maintenance tasks most frequently searched by homeowners are those that help protect insurance coverage and reduce the risk of denied claims. These primarily focus on preventing issues such as water damage, frozen pipes, and fire hazards. Insurers routinely reject claims resulting from wear and tear, poor maintenance, or neglect.

Patio cleaning and leaks-related issues share the top spot as the most searched-for home maintenance tasks among UK homeowners, with 27,100 monthly searches – equivalent to 325,200 searches each year. The results suggest that homeowners are particularly focused on preventing outdoor wear and tear and addressing potential water damage, two areas that can lead to costly repairs if left unresolved.

Pest control is another key area of concern for homeowners, ranking 2nd among the most-searched-for maintenance tasks, with 22,200 monthly searches (266,400 annually). Preventing and dealing with pests is highly important, as infestations can cause damage to a home’s structure, wiring, and insulation if left untreated.

Condensation is another growing concern for homeowners, ranking among the most searched-for maintenance tasks with 21,100 monthly searches (253,200 searches annually). Managing condensation is a priority for many households, as excess moisture can contribute to damp, mould growth, and potential damage if left unresolved.

Other popular home maintenance searches are closely linked to preventing water-related damage and keeping essential household systems in good working order. Boiler servicing gets 18,100 searches each month, adding up to 217,200 a year. Drain cleaning follows with 14,800 monthly searches, or 177,600 annually. Gutter cleaning has 12,100 searches monthly, totalling 145,200 each year.

  

 

The home maintenance tasks Brits are most confused about

The research also reveals the home maintenance tasks that leave UK homeowners searching for the most guidance, with many looking for advice on how to tackle common household problems and carry out essential checks.

Getting rid of mice is the home DIY job that confuses Brits the most, generating 97,200 searches annually.

Cleaning windows ranks second, with 34,800 annual searches, suggesting that even seemingly straightforward household jobs leave many Brits looking for advice.

The research also revealed that Brits struggle to identify the signs of a bed bug infestation, with searches for how to find out if you have bed bugs ranking third with 28,800 annual searches.

Searches for how to reset a boiler ranked fourth, generating 15,600 searches annually, while searches for how to seal a bathroom rounded out the top five most confusing tasks with 12,000 searches annually.

 

 

Home maintenance calendar

To help homeowners stay on top of essential upkeep, we’ve put together a seasonal calendar of key jobs.

The guide also covers regular monthly checks alongside important seasonal jobs. It encourages homeowners to take proactive steps to identify potential problems early, prevent avoidable damage, and avoid risks that are not typically covered by insurance, such as rising damp.

 

 

Methodology

The AA collated a list of common home maintenance tasks. Then AA used Google Keyword Planner to analyse average monthly search volumes across the UK to identify the home maintenance tasks most frequently searched for by homeowners, and the tasks Britons appear to find most confusing, based on demand for advice and guidance.

The research also analysed AA home insurance claims data from the past year to identify the most common types of claims made by customers.