What is accidental damage insurance?
As the classic saying goes: “accidents will happen”, and they often do, particularly around the home. If you accidentally knocked over a full glass of red wine or a steaming hot mug of black coffee, staining and ruining a section of your plush living room carpet, would your home insurance cover the cost of repair or replacement?
If you’re not sure, don’t automatically assume your home insurance policy will provide cover for damage caused by accidents. If ‘accidental damage’ doesn’t feature on your insurance policy, it’s unlikely to cover these types of accident. Many home insurance providers won’t provide accidental damage as standard. With RAC Home Insurance it’s available as an optional extra, to add to your main policy.
What is accidental damage?
Accidental damage refers to sudden, unexpected incidents that cause damage to your home or belongings. It typically covers one-off mishaps. This could be spilling wine on a carpet, dropping a laptop, or putting a foot through the loft floor.
Policies define accidental damage in different ways. Check with your insurer to see what is covered. Some policies may exclude children or pets, so check for any exclusions. You can add accidental damage cover to both building and contents insurance, especially during DIY projects or home improvements.
What’s typically covered?
Accidental damage cover helps protect your home and belongings from sudden, unexpected accidents. While policies vary, they usually cover:
• Spills and stains – e.g., knocking over red wine on a carpet.
• Breakages – e.g., dropping a laptop and cracking the screen.
• DIY accidents – e.g., drilling into a water pipe by mistake.
• Children’s incidents – e.g., a child knocking over and breaking a TV.
• Loft or ceiling damage – e.g., stepping through the ceiling by accident.
Always check your policy to see exactly what’ s covered and any exclusions.
What does accidental damage usually not cover?
There are some occasions where your accidental cover may not cover you, these include:
• General wear and tear – e.g., if your refrigerator or oven stops working because it’s old and has been used for many years, rather than due to a sudden accident, it wouldn’t be covered.
• Portable items – e.g., if you drop your mobile phone while out on a walk, it’s unlikely you’ll be covered.
• Pests – most insurers don’t cover accidental damage from vermin, insects or infestations.
• Lodgers – any damage caused by a lodger may not be covered.
• Pets – check your policy, but pet damage is typically not covered. So, if your dog chews up your sofa, it’s unlikely to be included.
Is it worth adding to my policy?
Adding accidental damage cover is your choice, but it can be useful. It protects against unexpected accidents like spilling paint on the carpet, cracking a window, or knocking over an expensive ornament.
- Buildings insurance – covers damage to your home’s structure, like broken windows, cracked sinks, or drilled-through pipes.
- Contents insurance – covers damage to your belongings, such as smashed TVs, stained sofas, or spilling wine on your carpet.
If you own valuable items or want extra peace of mind, this cover can be beneficial. While it costs extra, it could save you from expensive repairs or replacements. A combined policy covering both buildings and contents can offer full protection for your home against any accidents. Depending on the cost of your valuable, you may also need to consider a high net worth or personal possessions policy.
What other optional home insurance extras are available?
In addition to accidental damage cover, you might also want to add other optional extras to your home insurance policy. Common optional home insurance extras include:
Home Assistance Cover – this provides cover for any home emergencies, such as boiler, heating and plumbing issues. It may also cover you for alternative accommodation if you need to leave your home for a period of time while repairs are being carried out.
Key cover – this provides cover if you lose your keys, or they’re stolen. This type of cover usually enables you to get assistance from a locksmith and get replacement locks fitted, if needed.
Family Legal Protection – this can provide financial support for legal costs, the provision of a legal helpline, and the means to help recover loss of earnings, if required.
