Does Home Insurance Cover Accidental Damage?
Caeva O'Callaghan | May 23rd, 2023
If you’re new to the insurance game, “accidental damage cover” could mean a lot of things. It actually has a clear definition, and buying it could save you a ton of headache with everyday mishaps.
In this article, we’ll explain the following questions:
- What is accidental damage cover?
- Is accidental cover standard on home insurance?
- Why do I need accidental damage cover?
If there’s one thing all insurance companies can agree on, it’s this: it’s always best to have accidental damage cover. Why? For the simple fact, that accidents happen. Read on to discover why adding accidental damage cover to your policy is a great idea.
What is accidental damage cover?
Accidental damage cover protects your home and valuables from accidental damage. In insurance parlance, this means unintentional acts like spilling spaghetti bolognaise on the carpet, or knocking through a window with a ladder.
Home insurance will only occasionally include accidental damage cover as standard. In most cases, it’s sold as an optional extra. You can buy accidental damage cover for your building’s structure as well as for your possessions. Just because you have one, doesn’t mean you’re covered for the other.
Without accidental damage cover, you’ll have to pay to repair or replace your valuables if clumsiness or mishaps occur.
Why buy extra accidental damage cover?
Life happens. And even if you’ve got a sleek minimalist home, and you’re 100% careful with your belongings, you may have visitors over. Accidental damage can happen to anyone, at any time, but there are some factors that increase your risk.
So, if you have small children, or grandchildren, you’ll want accidental damage. Accidental damage cover can pay for the TV if they knock it over. Also, it can help replace things like glass coffee tables, ornaments, upholstery, and sentimental items.
Similarly, if you have parties often grown-ups may run around knocking things over. Accidental damage can cover you for spilt cocktails and other dubious stains.
What does contents accidental damage cover?
Insurance companies consider anything you own as “contents”. Of course, it won’t be worth claiming on your home insurance if a party guest smashes a €2 photo frame. It’s not worth the time, effort, excess, and loss of your no claims bonus. But, if you own heirlooms, or expensive furniture, accidental damage cover is well worth it.
Accidental damage cover will protect your personal belongings while they are:
- In your home
- Outdoors within the border of your property
- While you’re moving to a new house with a professional contractor
If you take them with you on holiday, or while travelling for work, you’ll also need to buy personal possessions cover.
What does buildings accidental damage cover?
A buildings insurance policy with accidental damage will cover unexpected and unintentional damage caused to, or by, the fabric of the building itself.
As well as damage caused by kids, such as crayon murals on your Laura Ashley wallpaper, you’ll also be covered for things like:
- Broken glass in windows, doors and skylights
- Damaged solar panels
- Falling through the attic floor
- Cracked sinks, toilets, baths and showers
- Broken or blocked service cables, wires and pipes
- Locks and keys
As always, read your policy terms carefully – or get your broker to do it – to find out exactly what you will or won’t be covered for.
What does accidental damage exclude?
If you’re a pet owner, you may love your furry friends but not be so keen on their destructive habits. Rabbits can chew wires, puppies tear up slippers, and cats will claw up carpets. Unfortunately, accidental buildings or contents insurance does not cover pet-related disasters.
Furthermore, normal wear and tear is not covered under buildings insurance. Not only that, you’ll need to check where your contents are covered. Normally, if your possessions are damaged in student halls, a caravan, or in storage, you’ll be out of luck.
Own expensive electronics like laptops and smartphones? They need their own insurance.
Also, accidental damage doesn’t include:
- Water entering the home, except for storms and floods
- Insects and pests
- Fungus
- Cowboy tradesmen or their faulty building materials
- Damage caused by a lodger or paying guest
In short, accidental damage cover is excellent to have because life can be messy and unpredictable. It will normally cost you extra, and you won’t be covered for everything that could go wrong. But, it will give you peace of mind.
Call us in QuoteMe.ie with any of your Accidental Damage Cover questions
If you need more information on what exactly accidental damage cover is and whether you should get it for your home pick up the phone anytime and get immediate expert advice from our experienced insurance agents. We have been providing home insurance in Ireland for over 30 years. We know all the angles. Call us anytime between 8.30am and 5.30pm each weekday on 0818 224433 or 042 9359051.
You can also get a home insurance quote online through our online quote system. We compare home insurance in the Irish market from 12 insurers to get you the right cover. We look forward to hearing from you soon.