The UK’s most accident-prone postcodes

Whether it’s a smashed window or just a coffee spill, accidents happen – especially in a busy home. 

While most are nothing more than a quick swipe of a cloth or a simple repair job, larger accidents might require professional intervention or for items to be replaced.  

To find out if some people are more accident prone than others, we have analysed home insurance quotes from MoneySuperMarket Home Insurance customers to find the UK postcodes where people are most (and least) likely to make a claim for accidental damage to their home and belongings.  

Accident Prone Postcodes

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UK Rank	Postal Area Code	Postal Area	Accidental damage claims per 1,000 home insurance quotes

UK Rank	Postal Area Code	Postal Area	Accidental damage claims per 1,000 home insurance quotes
1	GU33	Liss, Greatham, Selborne, Rake	48.0
2	AB30	Laurencekirk	47.4
3	DY7	Kinver, Enville, Stourton	44.4
4	TF7	Madeley, Sutton Hill	44.3
5	BS25	Churchill, Winscombe, Sandford, Shipham	41.5
6	JE2	Saint Helier, Saint Clement, Saint Saviour	40.6
7	FK5	Larbert, Stenhousemuir, Torwood	40.0
8	GU24	Bisley, Pirbright, Chobham, Knaphill, Brookwood, West End	39.2
9	IP17	Saxmundham	39.1
10	ST18	Stafford	38.9
11	LE19	Narborough, Enderby	37.9
12	NE27	Shiremoor, West Allotment, Backworth, Holystone, Murton Village	37.4
13	HG5	Scotton, Knaresborough	37.2
14	TS17	Thornaby, Ingleby Barwick, Stainton	37.2
15	GU31	Petersfield, Buriton, East Harting, South Harting, Elsted, Rogate	37.1
16	MK13	Bancroft/Bancroft Park, Bluebridge, Bradwell and Bradwell Abbey, Bradwell Common, New Bradwell, Heelands, Stonebridge	37.0
17	FK6	Denny, Fankerton, Stoneywood	36.9
18	LA13	Barrow-in-Furness	36.8
19	EN7	Cheshunt	36.5
20	PL21	Ivybridge, Brownston, Cornwood, Ermington, Modbury, Ugborough	36.1

   

The clumsiest places in the UK 

  

With 48.0 accidental damage claims per 1,000 home insurance quotes, The GU33 postcode district in East Hampshire which covers Liss, Greatham and Rake is the clumsiness capital of the UK. 

The second most accident-prone are those living in the Scottish postal area of AB30 with an accident rate of 47.4, while South Staffordshire’s DY7 (Kinver, Enville, Stourton) came in third with 44.4 accidental damage claims per 1,000 quotes. 

The fourth most accident-prone postcode according to MoneySuperMarket data is the TF7 district in the West Midlands, while in fifth place is Somerset’s BS25 with accident rates of 44.3 and 41.5 per 1,000 respectively. 

The least clumsy places in the UK 

 

Looking at the areas of the UK where people were least likely to make an accidental damage claim, the postcode district of M5, covering Ordsall, Seedley, and Weaste in Salford has an accident rate of just 3.3 per 1,000. 

With an accident rate of 3.5 per 1,000 homes, the Cherwell post district (OX25) finishes as the second least clumsy postcode, followed by L3 (3.6 per 1,000), NE36 (3.9 per 1,000), and BT70 (4.2 per 1,000). 

 

What is accidental damage insurance? 

Usually offered as an optional add-on to your home contents or buildings insurance, accidental damage insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing items accidentally damaged at home. 

The damage must be the result of a sudden, unforeseen event - not intentional damage, gradual wear and tear, or poor maintenance. 

Accidental damage cover will likely add a small fee to your premium, but some more comprehensive policies may include it as standard. 

What does accidental damage insurance cover? 

From putting a foot through the ceiling when trying to get the Christmas decorations down from the attic, to spilling your famous chilli all over the carpet, accidental damage insurance covers you for all sorts of mishaps. 

The type of accidental damage will fall under two categories: buildings insurance, which can be anything to do with your home’s structure and permanent fixtures and fittings, or contents insurance, covering items inside your home. 

What doesn’t accidental damage insurance cover? 

Anything that’s been damaged intentionally and anything broken because of wear and tear or poor maintenance, are exempt from accidental damage insurance. 

It’s also a good idea to check your policy before starting any DIY work.  

While you’ll likely be covered for basic tasks, you won't be able to make a claim should you damage your home while undertaking work that you’re not qualified to do. 

If you have or plan to get a pet, it’s also worth noting that you’re unlikely to be covered for much of the damage they could cause. For example, you may be covered if your cat knocks over a vase, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to claim if they damage your sofa.