Does home insurance cover accidental damage?

Insurers generally define accidental damage as sudden, unexpected and unintended physical damage caused by an outside event. The key word is sudden: damage that builds up gradually over time, such as wear and tear or a slow leak, isn't accidental damage.

Standard home insurance works differently. It covers named events, often called insured perils, such as fire, theft, storm, flood, escape of water and subsidence. If something gets damaged in a way that isn't one of those events, a standard policy may not pay out.

Many standard policies include limited accidental damage cover for specific items, even without the add-on. The exact list varies between insurers, but it commonly covers some of these:

• Fixed glass in windows and doors, and sanitary ware such as baths, basins and toilets
• Underground pipes, cables and drains that you're responsible for
• Televisions, computers and some other home electronics
• Mirrors and glass tops on furniture

Accidental damage cover can be added to buildings insurance, contents insurance or both, and the two work separately. Buildings accidental damage covers the structure and fixtures — for example, putting your foot through the ceiling while in the loft, or accidentally drilling through a pipe or cable in a wall. Contents accidental damage covers belongings, such as spilling red wine or paint on a sofa or carpet, or knocking over a laptop.

If you rent, a contents policy with accidental damage may also include some cover for damage you cause to the landlord's fixtures and fittings. Check whether the policy includes tenant's liability and what limit applies.

Even with the add-on, accidental damage cover has limits. Exclusions vary between insurers, but these are typical:

• Wear and tear, gradual deterioration and damage that happens over time
• Mechanical or electrical breakdown
• Damage caused by pets chewing, scratching or fouling, which some policies exclude
• Damage from poor workmanship, faulty DIY or ongoing building work
• Damage while the home is let to someone else or left unoccupied beyond the policy's limit
• Belongings damaged away from home, unless you have personal possessions cover

Accidental damage cover may suit you if you have young children, are planning DIY projects, or own expensive items that would be costly to repair or replace. It may be less useful if most of your belongings are low value or you'd rather pay for small mishaps yourself.

It's worth weighing the extra premium against the excess. Many smaller accidents cost less than, or not much more than, the excess, and any claim can affect your no-claims discount and future premiums. Check the policy wording for the excess that applies to accidental damage claims, which can differ from the standard excess.