Protect your home against accidental damage costs
Accidental damage is part of home insurance which covers you for incidents that cause unexpected damage to your property or possessions.
Key takeaways
Accidental damage is not a standalone insurance product – it is part of home insurance
Accidental damage might be included in comprehensive home insurance, or offered as a paid-for add-on to buildings insurance or contents insurance
Accidental damage generally covers incidents that are unforeseen, unintentional and result in a loss of function of a particular item
You won’t be covered for deliberate damage or wear and tear
What is accidental damage insurance?
Accidental damage insurance is an optional add-on to your home insurance policy. It might be included as standard on more comprehensive policies.
It's designed to protect against damage to your property or belongings that occurs suddenly and without intent.
The specific definition of accidental damage may vary between home insurance companies. However, it usually includes things like damage from burst pipes, spilling coffee over the carpet, and smashed windows.
TV insurance for accidental damage will usually be covered for physical damage – i.e. knocking over a flat screen TV – but not electrical or mechanical faults.
It can also include accidental damage caused by a neighbour or even a vehicle hitting your property.
Does home buildings insurance cover accidental damage?
Accidental damage added to your buildings insurance can offer cover for:
Broken glass windows
Damage to bathroom fittings
Damaged drains, pipes, cables, and tanks
Cracked wall tiles
Damaged kitchen units and built-in appliances
Collision damage
Accidental holes in walls
Does home contents insurance cover accidental damage?
Accidental damage added to your contents insurance can offer cover for:
Accidental damage to gadgets like your laptop, mobile phone or smartwatch at home
Physically broken TVs (but not electrical malfunctions)
Damage to furniture
Spills on carpets
Property damage in the garden
Are your possessions covered for accidental damage outside your home?
Accidental damage insurance won’t usually cover items you carry around with you when you’re not at home, such as your phone, jewellery or laptop.
To cover these items when you are out and about, you’ll need to add personal possessions cover to your contents insurance.
You should check the terms of your policy to see if items will be covered for accidental damage if they are in your garden.
If you move house, check if your home contents policy covers removals. Some policies will only include cover if you use a professional removal firm.
Are my gadgets covered for accidental damage?
Gadgets such as mobile phones and watches will usually be covered for accidental damage on your home insurance policy.
But keep an eye on the single item limit for any pay out. Most providers will only pay out up to a certain amount for each item. So, if the value of your electronic item is greater than the per-item limit, insurance won't cover it in full.
You may need to list the item on your home contents policy or insure the item separately for it to be fully covered.
If you want to protect your mobile phone or laptop, you can also buy gadget insurance which will protect your gadgets when you take them out of the home.
Does accidental damage cover damage caused by children?
Yes, accidental damage insurance covers damage caused by children – such as kicking a football at the TV or knocking a drink onto to the carpet.
Does accidental damage cover damage caused by pets?
No, accidental damage won’t usually cover damage caused by pets, whether it’s your cat or dog chewing through a cable or knocking over an expensive vase.
Accidental damage policy exclusions
Exclusions – things that aren’t covered – vary from policy to policy. Most accidental damage cover will exclude the following:
Pest infestations
General wear and tear
Shoddy workmanship and bodged DIY
Unoccupied properties (home insurance policies normally have a 30 or 60-day unoccupied limit)
Damage caused by lodgers or other paying guests
Will I need to pay an excess on accidental damage claims?
Yes, you will need to pay an excess if you make a claim for accidental damage.
The excess is the initial amount you pay towards a claim before your insurer pays the remainder. Excesses on home insurance policies can vary – in general, the higher the excess, the lower the premium.
Excess payments mean it may not be worth making low value claims.
Do tenants need accidental damage cover?
If you rent your home, you will need accidental damage cover for your own possessions.
Your landlord will be responsible for any accidental damage which happens to the structure, windows, doors, roofs, and exterior parts of the building.
Tenants could be liable for any damage they cause to the property – this means they might either have to pay for the damage themselves or have tenant’s liability insurance to cover it.
Landlords should consider buying landlord insurance – make sure the policy includes protection against accidental damage caused by tenants to the landlord’s possessions in the property (i.e. furniture).
Finding the right home insurance cover
Accidental damage insurance can be a valuable addition to your home insurance policy, offering comprehensive protection and peace of mind.
You can compare home insurance quotes quickly and easily with MoneySupermarket.
Households typically paid £265.96 for combined buildings and contents insurance In November 2024, and £83.50 for contents insurance (median price based on policy type).
Whether you're a homeowner, tenant, or landlord, it's worth considering how this cover could help you manage the financial impact of minor – and bigger – accidents.
