What is accidental damage cover?

Accidental damage cover is an optional extra you can add to your home insurance policy. It helps cover the cost of repairs or replacements if something in your home is damaged by an unexpected mishap. Think DIY slip-ups, clumsy kids, or even a rogue football smashing a window.

Standard home insurance typically covers things like fire, theft and storm damage. But accidental damage protection steps in for the kind of day-to-day accidents that don’t fall under standard policies. It’s designed for life’s “oops” moments.

Whether it’s a cracked TV screen or a drill through a water pipe, accidental damage cover can offer real reassurance. It won’t prevent the accident, but it does soften the blow when you’re faced with the bill for putting things right.

What do I get with accidental damage cover?

Accidental damage cover protects against unintentional one-off incidents that cause damage to your home or belongings. It’s especially handy for households with children, or anyone who occasionally drops, knocks, spills or trips over things (so… most of us, really!).

There are two types of accidental cover available: one that covers just the building (for things like walls, floors, and fixtures), and one that covers the contents – such as your gadgets, furniture, and carpets. You can choose to add accidental damage to your buildings insurance, contents insurance, or combined buildings and contents insurance.

Buildings accidental damage insurance might cover things like:

  • Drilling through a water pipe or electrical cable by mistake.

  • Cracking a glass hob or ceramic sink.

  • Accidentally smashing a window or door glass.

  • Damage to bathroom fixtures like a cracked sink or shower tray.

Contents accidental damage insurance might cover things like:

  • Spilling paint or wine on the carpet or sofa.

  • Dropping a laptop or TV while cleaning or moving it.

  • Knocking over and smashing a lamp or vase.

  • Accidental damage to mirrors or glass furniture.

  • Kids breaking a game console or tablet while playing (hello, gaming rage!).

This kind of cover gives you a financial cushion for those frustrating moments when something valuable gets damaged out of the blue. It’s not a catch-all, but it does fill a lot of gaps in standard home insurance.

Every insurer has different rules about what's included, so always check the fine print of your specific policy before assuming something's covered.

What isn’t covered?

While accidental damage cover is great for many things, it doesn’t cover everything. It's not a free pass for wear and tear, neglect, or dodgy DIY with no experience. There are limits – and it’s important to know what they are.

General wear and tear isn’t covered, so if your carpet’s threadbare or your sofa’s looking tired, that’s down to you. Damage caused by pets scratching or chewing your stuff is often excluded too, although some insurers do offer pet-related add-ons.

You also won’t be covered if the damage is intentional or caused by poor workmanship. So if your friend attempts a kitchen install and floods your house in the process, you may be out of luck. And any electronics that break down on their own, like a TV that just gives up, wouldn’t fall under accidental damage either.

Examples of what’s not usually covered:

  • General wear and tear or gradual deterioration.

  • Damage caused by pets (e.g. scratched doors or chewed wires) - although some policies do cover certain pet damage.

  • Faulty repairs or shoddy DIY.

  • Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect how something works.

  • Items taken outside the home, unless you’ve got personal possessions cover.

Do I really need accidental damage cover?

It depends on your lifestyle, home, and how much you’d want help with unexpected repairs. It can save you from forking out hundreds – or even thousands – if something gets broken. Let’s face it, nobody ever plans to put a foot through the ceiling when up in the attic, but it happens.

It’s also worth considering the cost of items in your home. If you’ve got expensive furniture, tech, new carpets, then repairs or replacements could be expensive. Accidental damage cover helps you protect those investments and avoid financial pain from everyday mishaps.

Of course, some people prefer to cover minor accidents themselves and use insurance for more serious events like a fire or break-in. It really comes down to your attitude to risk.

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