Accidental Damage Insurance

Accidental Damage Insurance

No matter how much care we put into looking after our homes, accidents will happen, nobody is perfect. Accidental damage insurance helps protect you for those unexpected hiccups, such as spilling a glass of red on your beige suede sofa.

What does accidental damage cover?

Accidental damage insurance is typically in place for one off unexpected events that cause damage to possessions and furnishings in your home, like dropping and smashing an ornament – or something structural, such as accidentally drilling into a water pipe when fitting a shelf.

Accidental damage protection for contents

While some accidental damage cover is included with your contents insurance, it is limited to mirrors and glass top furniture. If you would like to extend your cover, accidental damage protection can be added to your contents insurance as an optional extra.

esure Accidental Damage covers most of your furnishings and possessions such as clothes, carpets, pedal cycles, televisions, and laptops.

It’s worth noting that any items that cost more than £1499 to replace as new, or push bikes that cost more than £500, need to be specified separately and accepted by us (apart from furniture, carpets and kitchen appliances).

Accidental damage protection for buildings

When looking at the different levels of buildings insurance, accidental damage might be something to consider. Accidental damage to your windows, sinks, toilets, shower trays and screens, baths and ceramic hobs is included with standard buildings insurance, but if you’re looking for more coverage, accidental damage insurance could be a good option.

esure Accidental Damage for buildings covers accidents like cosmetic damage around the home, for example, foot through attic floor and ceiling below.

DIY

• If you’re planning on doing major renovations to your home it’s best to use a registered tradesperson.  They’ll have their own liability insurance, which will cover any major accidental damage that we might not cover
• We’ll cover things such as you putting a nail through a water pipe or splashing paint on your carpet, but won’t cover you for more reckless accidental damage, such as accidentally knocking the wrong wall down

When can’t I make an accidental damage insurance claim?

Unfortunately we can’t cover for every eventuality in your home – this is some of what is excluded in our accidental damage cover:

• Wear and tear – for example if you’ve been using your bike for years and haven’t had it serviced regularly, we won’t compensate you when it breaks.
• Damage caused by moth, vermin, birds, insects, fungi, dry or wet rot
• Pets – your furniture will not be replaced or repaired if it has become damaged by them chewing or scratching it
• Weather damage caused by a storm
• Any paid guests or tenants that damage your home
• Accidental damage caused by professional cleaning or repair.

When does accidental damage apply when I’m renting?

While renting and living as tenants, accidental damage insurance might be worth a consideration if you’re renting an unfurnished property and own all of the furniture –  as it helps protect your contents should the unexpected happen.

You shouldn’t have to worry about accidental damage insurance for buildings, if you don’t own the property. The responsibility of repairs or building renovations is usually your landlord’s job, therefore they should normally arrange the insurance.

What about accidental damage done by guests or children, is that covered?

If something was accidentally broken by a 90 or 9 year old we’d still consider the claim. We do cover damage done by guests invited into your home, as long as they aren’t paying to stay there!