What Is Accidental Damage Cover on Home Insurance?

Home insurance provides financial protection for a residence and its contents against various specified risks, often including perils like fire, theft, and certain natural disasters. Beyond these standard protections, accidental damage cover offers an additional layer of security, addressing sudden, unforeseen incidents that fall outside typical covered events.

Defining Accidental Damage Cover

Accidental damage cover in home insurance refers to protection against damage that is sudden, unexpected, and unintentional. This type of damage arises from a single, one-off event that was not deliberate on the part of the policyholder. It distinguishes itself from gradual issues or predictable wear and tear that occur over time. It provides financial protection for unforeseen mishaps around the home.

Common Accidental Damage Inclusions

Accidental damage policies typically cover a range of everyday household mishaps affecting both the building structure and personal belongings. For the building itself, common inclusions might involve inadvertently drilling through a water pipe while undertaking DIY projects or a child’s toy smashing a window. It can also extend to incidents such as putting a foot through the attic floor or accidental breakage of fixed glass, sanitary fixtures like sinks and toilets, and even damage to drains, pipes, or cables connected to the home.

For contents, accidental damage cover frequently addresses common spills and breakages. This could include spilling wine on a new carpet or sofa, accidentally dropping and breaking a laptop or television, or an expensive ornament falling from a shelf. Damage caused by children, such as drawing on walls or knocking over valuable objects, is also often covered.

Standard Accidental Damage Exclusions

Accidental damage cover does not protect against every type of damage, even if it seems unintentional. Policies generally exclude damage resulting from normal wear and tear, which refers to the natural deterioration of property due to regular use and aging. Gradual deterioration, such as a roof leaking over time due to lack of maintenance, is also typically not covered. Insurers aim to cover unforeseen losses, not predictable ones that could be prevented with routine upkeep.

Intentional damage caused by the policyholder or a resident family member is a standard exclusion. Damage arising from neglect or a lack of proper maintenance is also commonly excluded. Furthermore, issues like pest infestations (e.g., termites, vermin), damage caused by pets, or problems stemming from faulty workmanship are generally not covered by accidental damage policies.

Making an Accidental Damage Claim

Initiating an accidental damage claim involves several practical steps. Policyholders should contact their insurer as soon as possible after the damage occurs to report the incident. Prompt notification is important, as delayed reporting can complicate the claims process.

Thorough documentation of the damage is essential, which includes taking clear, high-resolution photos and videos from multiple angles. It is advisable to create a detailed inventory of all damaged items, noting descriptions, estimated values, and, if possible, purchase dates or receipts. Policyholders should not discard damaged items until the insurance adjuster has had an opportunity to inspect them. Understanding the policy’s excess or deductible, which is the amount the policyholder pays out-of-pocket before coverage begins, is also important before filing a claim.