Does home insurance cover damage 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

• Landlords and tenants need specialist policies to ensure pet damage to rental fixtures and fittings is fully protected

Does home insurance cover damage caused by pets?

Sometimes, but standard home insurance don't usually cover damage caused by your own pets. Whether you can claim depends on the type of damage, the circumstances and your policy wording.

For example, a policy might cover certain accidental breakages but exclude damage caused by chewing, scratching or repeated accidents. Even if you have accidental damage cover, pet-related exclusions may still apply.

Insurers assess risks when setting their policy terms, and damage caused by animals can be difficult to predict. That's why it's important to check exactly what's covered before assuming your policy will pay for repairs or replacements.

Does contents insurance cover pet damage?

Pet damage is usually more relevant to contents insurance because it often affects belongings inside your home, such as furniture, carpets and personal possessions.

However, many standard contents insurance policies exclude damage caused by your own pets.

If you want protection against pet-related accidents, check whether your policy includes accidental damage cover and whether pet damage is specifically included.

Does buildings insurance cover pet damage?

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home and certain permanent fixtures and fittings, subject to your policy terms.

For example, damage to fitted kitchen units, doors or other fixtures may fall under buildings insurance, while damage to a sofa or television would generally be considered under contents insurance.

However, neither type of cover automatically protects you against pet damage. Check your policy wording to see whether the particular incident and damaged item are covered.

What conditions are typically involved if my insurer covers pet damage?

If a policy offers cover for pet damage, check the conditions carefully. Depending on the insurer and policy, you may find that:

• Accidental damage cover is required: You may need to pay extra to add this to your home insurance.

• Only certain incidents are covered: A sudden accident might be treated differently from ongoing damage caused by chewing or scratching

• Some animals are excluded: Check whether any restrictions apply to your type of pet

• Wear and tear isn't covered: Gradual deterioration or repeated damage may be excluded

• Claim limits apply: Your insurer may cap the amount it will pay for a particular item or incident

• Reasonable care is expected: You may not be covered for damage arising from circumstances excluded by your policy, including certain situations where a pet is left unattended

Always check your policy documents or ask your insurer to clarify any exclusions.

What type of pet damage is covered and excluded in my policy?

Some insurers will cover pet damage if it counts as accidental damage.

Accidental damage insurance typically extends to both the structure of your home and the items within it.

Most standard home insurance policies don't include it so you will have to pay more to add this layer of protection. What is covered and excluded varies per insurer but as a general guide:

✅ What pet damage is covered by accidental damage?

• Sudden breakages: A pet knocking over a TV, smashing a glass coffee table, or breaking an expensive ornament

• One-off spills or drops: Accidental spills on carpets or upholstered furniture caused by sudden pet commotion

• Sanitaryware and hob damage: Accidental impact damage to ceramic hobs, sinks, or double-glazed windows

❌ What pet damage isn't covered by accidental damage?

• Chewing, scratching and clawing: Natural animal habits (e.g., dogs chewing carpets, skirting boards or cushions; cats clawing sofas or carpets) are classed as behavioral wear-and-tear and are universally excluded

• Fouling, urination and vomiting: Damage caused by pets fouling or urinating on floors, rugs, or furniture is explicitly excluded by almost all insurers

• Unattended pets: Damage occurring while a pet is left home alone for unreasonable periods (treated as lack of reasonable care)

• Exotic or restricted breeds: Non-standard domestic animals or breeds restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act

• Unoccupied homes: Incidents occurring while the property has been left empty for long periods (typically 30–60 consecutive days)

• External flooding and structural subsidence: External flooding or structural movement affecting the property

Does home insurance cover pet damage for tenants and landlords?

Whether you're renting with a pet or letting a property to tenants who have one, it's important to check what your insurance covers.

For tenants

If you're renting with a pet, don't assume your contents insurance for tenants will cover any damage they cause. Most policies exclude pet damage, so it's worth checking whether you can add accidental damage cover or tenant liability cover to help protect against accidental damage to your landlord's property.

For landlords

If you allow tenants to keep pets, check your landlord insurance carefully. Standard policies often exclude damage caused by tenants' pets, so you may need extra cover if you want protection for things like carpets, flooring or furniture that you own.

Does home insurance cover expensive items damaged by pets?

If your pet damages a valuable item, such as a television, rug or piece of furniture, your insurer may not pay the full replacement cost.

Your policy may have a single item limit that caps the amount payable for an individual possession. Other limits, exclusions and the policy excess may also affect the amount you receive.

If you own expensive belongings, check whether they need to be listed separately on your policy and whether accidental damage cover applies to them.

Remember that even a high-value item won't necessarily be covered if the damage itself is excluded.

Is It worth claiming for pet damage?

Before making a claim for pet damage, it’s worth considering the costs involved. For example, if your policy excess is £150 or £200 and your pet damages an item worth £250, you may receive only a small payout after the excessis deducted.

You should also think about the longer-term impact of making a claim. A home insurance claim could reduce or reset your no-claims discount (NCD), and insurers may take previous claims into account when calculating your future premiums.

A pet damage claim could affect the cost of your cover for several years, with some insurers considering claims history over a period of around three to five years.

💡 Rule of Thumb: If the repair or replacement cost is close to your excess amount, it is usually cheaper long-term to cover the cost out of pocket rather than filing a formal claim.

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.

How do I make a pet damage claim on my home insurance?

If your pet causes significant accidental damage that is covered under your policy, follow these steps to ensure a smooth claim process:

1. Document the damage immediately: Take clear, well-lit photos and videos of the damaged item or area before attempting any clean-up or repairs

2. Keep the damaged item: Do not throw away broken or stained items (such as a smashed TV or torn rug). Insurers often send a loss adjuster or request physical evidence to verify the cause of damage

3. Locate proof of purchase: Gather original purchase receipts, bank statements, or valuations for the damaged property to establish its replacement value.

4. Check your policy excess: Review your policy schedule to confirm your compulsory and voluntary excess amounts before calling your provider

5. Contact your insurer: Report the incident promptly with your policy number and evidence to hand

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?

Home insurance may cover certain damage caused by wild animals, birds or rodents, but it depends on the cause of the damage and your policy wording.

For example, a policy may treat sudden damage differently from an ongoing rodent infestation or a maintenance issue. Damage caused by vermin, flooding or other animals may be subject to specific exclusions.

Don't assume that accidental damage or home emergency cover will pay for every animal-related problem. Check your policy documents or contact your insurer to confirm what's covered.

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

Prevention is always cheaper than paying an insurance excess or replacing damaged items yourself:

1. Invest in professional training: Work with an accredited dog trainer to curb separation anxiety, destructive chewing, or digging habits early on

2. Provide enrichment: Keep pets stimulated with puzzle feeders, chew toys, and adequate daily exercise to prevent boredom-driven destruction

3. Use scratching posts: Place dedicated scratching posts near furniture that cats are prone to targeting, and use catnip sprays to encourage scratching in the right spots

4. Leave background noise on: Leaving a radio or TV on can soothe pets with separation anxiety when they are left home alone briefly

5. Install Stair Gates: Block off sensitive areas containing high-value furniture or delicate items using pet safety gates.

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.