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A glass of red wine which has accidentally spilled onto and damaged a sofa,

A guide to accidental damage home insurance

Accidents often happen when we least expect them, but their consequences can be costly. Whether it’s spilling a glass of wine on your new sofa, breaking a cherished ornament, or dropping an expensive electronic device, some mishaps can lead to significant expense.

This is where accidental damage home insurance comes in, offering a safety net for those unforeseen mishaps in your home.

What is accidental damage cover?

Accidental damage cover is an optional add-on to your standard home insurance policy. It provides protection against unexpected and unintentional damage to your personal belongings within the home.

While standard contents insurance can cover risks like theft, fire, and flood, adding a level of accidental damage cover extends this protection to include incidents resulting from sudden unforeseen events caused by the policyholder.

What does accidental damage insurance cover?

Accidental damage contents insurance typically covers:

Spillages: Accidentally spilling liquids on furniture or rugs.
Breakages: Dropping and breaking items like televisions, laptops, or valuable ornaments.
Damage to appliances: Accidentally damaging household appliances, such as washing machines or refrigerators.

It’s essential to review your policy details, as coverage can vary between insurers.

What isn't covered by accidental damage insurance?

While accidental damage cover is comprehensive, there are typically a number of exclusions to be aware of:

Wear and tear: Damage resulting from gradual deterioration or lack of maintenance.
Deliberate damage: Intentional damage caused by the policyholder, guests or other residents.
Damage by pets: Incidents like scratches or chewing by household pets are often excluded due to the unpredictability of such events.

Always consult your policy documents to understand specific exclusions.

Accidental damage cover for contents vs buildings

Accidental damage cover options will vary depending on the policy provider, but there is a distinguish between these two covers and their policy options:

Accidental damage contents insurance: This protects against accidental harm to a range of personal belongings within the home.
Accidental damage buildings insurance: This covers unintentional damage to the structure of your home, such as drilling through a pipe or damaging a wall.

A television was accidentally knocked off the stand and was damaged.

Do I need accidental damage cover?

Determining whether you need accidental damage cover depends on your circumstances. As an experienced home insurance broker, we’ll be able to help you find your ideal level of accidental damage cover, but typical situations include:

Households with children: Young children can be prone to a range of accidental spills or breakages.
Households with fragile items: If you have a range of valuable items that are easily breakable, this cover is an ideal fit.
Home offices: Those working from home might have valuable equipment that could benefit from additional protection.

Having the right cover in place means you won’t be left out of pocket if the unexpected happens.

Is accidental damage insurance worth it?

In short, yes, it is worth it for many homeowners.

The biggest value of accidental damage insurance lies in the peace of mind it offers. When you evaluate the expense involved with replacing high-value items in your home, the relatively modest increase in premium is worth the extensive protection provided.

The benefits of a home insurance broker

There are a range of benefits to working with a home insurance broker when selecting your accidental damage policy. They will help you to:

Assess all your cover needs: A broker will help you consider the value of your possessions and the likelihood of accidents.
Compare policy options: Brokers can assess different insurers to find coverage that best suits your requirements and budget.
Read the fine print: Brokers can ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered, to avoid being stung by hidden loopholes and excess fees.

Accidental damage contents insurance offers valuable protection and provides real peace of mind against a range of unforeseen mishaps in the home.

By understanding its benefits and limitations, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s a worthwhile addition to your home insurance policy. For personalised advice and coverage options, speak to our team today and we’ll be happy to help you tailor a policy to fit your specific needs.

Get a quote for accidental damage home insurance

Send us a message here and our friendly team will be in touch to help with your query around your home insurance cover.

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