Water leak detectors are becoming well established in households around the world and are increasingly a key part of the risk mitigation element of home insurance. GlobalData survey data shows that US consumers across all household income bands can see value in them and many are looking to install one within two years. This can be positive news for home insurers who can use leak detection devices to reduce the risk profile of clients and to offer more preventative policies, which should help improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
GlobalData’s 2024 Emerging Trends Insurance Consumer Survey found that 22.1% of global consumers have a water leak detection device in their household, while a further 21.2% were planning to install one within two years. Looking closer at the leading house market, the US, leak detectors have a slightly-higher penetration rate than the global average, with 26.4% of US consumers having a water leak detection device and a further 22.3% planning to install one within two years. This suggests that while they are already quite well established, they also have significant potential for growth over the next couple of years.
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Do you have any of these smart devices: water leak detection devices? The US by household income, 2025
The US market also indicates that wealthier households are slightly-more likely to already have a leak detector. Around 30% of all respondents in households earning in excess of $100,000 already have one, compared to around 25% for those in lower wage brackets. However, the proportion of consumers who intend to get one in the next two years remains similar throughout the household income bands and is actually highest in the lower-middle income bracket of $20,000–$34,999. This suggests that they are becoming more-mainstream products and consumers do recognise that they can help reduce and prevent water damage and limit repair costs. This can help lead to fewer claims due to water damage and a lower severity of claims when they are made (as damage is spotted earlier). GlobalData’s survey also found that 60.8% of US consumers would be willing to share the data from a leak detector with insurers for a personalised product. While there will always be some consumers who are not comfortable with this, this shows there is a large proportion which would like to engage more with their insurers and use technology to reduce the likelihood of claims.
Overall, water leak detectors are devices which can benefit both customers and insurers, by avoiding significant damage, costs, repairs, and inconvenience later down the line. While GlobalData’s data shows that they are already quite well established both globally and in the US, the market is expected to see strong adoption in the near future with a substantial proportion of consumers intending to get one for their household.
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By GlobalData
