Can you insure your home against accidental damage caused by pets?

Key takeaways

• Insurers are hesitant to cover pet damage due to unpredictability. Some policies may include it, but this often comes with higher premiums and exclusions

• If you have accidental damage insurance, check whether pet damage is included

• Pet insurance covers veterinary bills, not damage your pet causes to your home

Does home insurance cover damage caused by pets?

It is possible to get pet damage included in your home insurance but it’s not common and will depend on the level of cover you take out.

Insurers are usually hesitant to cover the damage pets may cause because they like to know exactly how much risk they’re dealing with – and with a pet, that’s much harder to work out.

The unpredictability of our four-legged friends, coupled with the difficulty in assessing how well they are trained, makes pet damage cover a tricky proposition for insurance companies.

If your insurance provider does include pet damage:

• It’s usually an accidental damage add-on, which means there is an additional cost

• It may only cover certain mishaps, such as knocking over and breaking ornaments or tearing carpets

• It may exclude certain animals, such as exotic pets, particular breeds of dog or very young pets

• It won’t cover wear and tear caused by pets

• There may be a limit you can claim up to

• It won’t normally cover damage caused when pets have been left on their own at home for a long period

What is accidental damage insurance?

Accidental damage insurance typically extends to both the structure of your home and the items within it (contents insurance). Most policies standard home insurance policies don't include it so you will have to pay more to add this layer of protection.

What is covered by accidental damage insurance differs but some items that are usually included are:

• Gadgets and large electronics like TVs

• Damage to ceramic hobs

• Spillages on carpets or rugs

• Some minor structural damage like broken glass windows

Most accidental damage cover doesn’t include:

• Damage caused by flooding from outside your home

• Sinking to the structure

• Damage caused when your home was left empty for a long period of time

Will my pet insurance cover damage to my home?

No, it’s a common misconception that pet insurance covers damage caused by pets in your home. Pet insurance is designed to handle veterinary bills for your pet's health needs.

However, it may include third-party liability cover, which means that if your pet injures another person, damages someone else’s property, or injures another animal, you’ll be protected against legal costs and compensation claims if you’re taken to court.

But if your pet causes damage to your home, then it’s your home insurance that you’ll need to turn to.

Do I need to let my home insurance company know I have a pet?

Yes, if you have a pet at the time you take out your home insurance policy or you get one during your policy term you must inform your insurer.

An insurer may ask if you have a pet as part of the application process and it’s important you answer truthfully so you don’t risk invalidating your home insurance.

Top tip: You should inform your home insurance provider if you fit a cat flap or a dog flap as it could make your home more vulnerable to a break-in.

Did you know?

30% of UK adults have a dog and 24% have a cat, according to the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Mini Report 2025.

Will home insurance cover damage by wild animals?

Your home insurance might cover damage by wild animals, such as birds, foxes and rodents or vermin, as part of accidental damage cover or home emergency cover.

Insurers may differentiate between a one-off incident caused by an animal and ongoing maintenance issues, such as a rodent infestation.

To see if you’re covered, contact your insurer or check your policy document.

How can I prevent my pets causing damage to my home?

• Use a professional dog trainer to curb destructive behaviour

• Keep pets engaged with a variety of toys and ample exercise to prevent boredom and frustration

• Invest in scratching posts to satisfy cats' natural scratching instincts

• Leave the radio on to provide a sense of company for pets when they are alone

• Use a pet gate to prevent your pet from going in certain rooms where there are valuables or upstairs

How can I find home insurance that covers pet damage?

When you compare home insurance with MoneySuperMarket, you’ll be able to see which home insurance quotes include accidental damage cover or offer it as an add-on.

You’ll then need to check the policy details to understand whether pet damage is included, and whether any exclusions apply, such as limits on the type of damage or breakages, so you can find the right cover for you.