What is accidental damage cover?

Many people wrongly assume that just by having contents insurance  for their home and belongings, they’re covered for all kinds of damage. If you were to accidentally knock your TV over while dusting, for example, most people would assume they’d be able to claim for a replacement. But the reality is that not all contents insurance policies offer accidental damage cover as standard, with many insurers offering it as an optional extra.

Accidental damage cover enhances your contents insurance policy by giving you that extra layer of security. It means that if the kids accidentally break something, for example, you’re covered. Like most other types of contents insurance, having an accidental damage policy in place means the cost of repair or replacement of your items is met if the worst should happen. So you won’t be left out of pocket and you’ll have that added peace of mind.

Accidental damage cover can usually be purchased for the building itself, its contents, or both. Remember, before making an accidental damage claim, check your excess in your policy documents to make sure it’s worth it. What’s an excess?  It’s what you’ve agreed to pay towards the cost of any claim you make.

While accidental damage for home insurance does cover a wide range of accidents and incidents, every policy will come with its own exclusions, so it’s always worth checking the terms and conditions in your insurance documents. But, generally speaking, types of damage not covered by accidental damage cover will include: 

X  Wear and tear, such as a sofa developing a hole over time.

X  Damage caused by a pet chewing furniture or fittings.

X Damage caused by poor workmanship or DIY attempts.

X An electrical item not working.

Dedicated gadget policies can cover individual items like phones both in and away from the home. Be sure to check your policy details to see if you need to purchase this extra protection.