What is accidental damage cover?

While household accidents are common, that doesn’t mean they’re not a hassle. One way to keep stress levels down is to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. 

If you subscribe to the ‘better safe than sorry’ school of thought, accidental damage cover could be a valuable add-on. 

Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking of adding accidental damage cover to your contents or buildings insurance policy.

Please remember, policies can vary depending on your insurer and the level of cover you pick. You should always read the detail of any policy to see exactly what is and isn’t included.

Different insurers have slightly different definitions of accidental damage, but generally it's damage that's caused by a single, unexpected one-off event. It’s different from damage caused by wear and tear or a breakdown. You can add accidental damage cover to either your contents insurance or to your buildings insurance. Or even both, usually at an additional cost.

• Adding accidental damage cover to your buildings insurance will usually protect you from things like a vase falling off a shelf and cracking your bathroom sink. Or if a football smashes your window.
• Accidents like knocking a TV over or cracking your glass coffee table may be covered if you’ve added accidental damage cover to your contents insurance.

• Accidental damage cover won’t cover you if, for example, your computer crashes because it’s very old.
• Portable electronics and clothes are often excluded from contents insurance accidental damage policies, so check with your insurer. 
• Damage caused by animals, like a pet chewing your furniture, isn’t usually covered. Some insurers and policies cover certain types of damage by pets, but not others.
• Poor workmanship or design wouldn’t be covered as part of your buildings insurance accidental damage cover.
• Certain losses or damage (eg, theft or malicious damage) caused by paying guests or tenants.
• Damage from wear and tear, electrical and mechanical breakdown, or gradual deterioration.
• Alterations or renovations aren't usually covered.

With accidental damage cover you can only claim for damage to your house or garden, as part of your buildings insurance. For items inside your house or garden, you'll claim for them through your contents insurance. It's a good idea to check with your insurer to find out exactly what's covered and what's not.

Accidental damage cover doesn't usually cover items away from your home. For example, if you drop your laptop while walking down the street, this wouldn’t be covered. However, you can also protect your belongings while they're away from home with personal belongings cover. Check with your insurer to see if this option is available to add.

That’s up to you. Accidental damage cover is an optional extra you can add to your home insurance policy. You may prefer to cover the cost of any accidents or breakages yourself. However, if you can’t do that, it may be worth considering.

Because accidental damage insurance can offer you more cover for one-off incidents, it might help give you more peace of mind.

But it’s important to know that this increased protection means the overall cost of your home premium will increase. The price you pay will depend on your particular circumstances and the level of cover you choose.

Like other insurance, making a claim under your policy could reduce your no claim discount when you renew. But the reverse is also true. If you don’t make a claim, your no claim discount will increase until you reach the maximum number of years allowed under your policy.

You’ll also need to consider the policy excess, which is the amount you pay on any claim. If your excess is £300, for example, you’ll have to pay the first £300 towards any replacement costs.