Is accidental damage cover worth buying for buildings?

Buildings accidental damage covers unintentional structural damage — drilling through a pipe, a foot through the ceiling, or a broken window caused by an accident rather than a storm. For most homeowners, the main structural risks (fire, flood, storm, subsidence) are in standard cover. Accidental damage adds value if you frequently do DIY work on the property, have young children, or own an older property more susceptible to incidental damage. The additional premium is modest — typically £30–£80/year — for the peace of mind on incidents that can cost hundreds to fix. See our home insurance buyer's guide for what standard cover includes.

Does accidental damage cover items I have dropped or damaged outside the home?

Standard accidental damage extensions cover items inside the home. For items you carry outside — phones, laptops, cameras, jewellery — you need "personal possessions" or "all risks" cover, which is a separate optional extension. Some policies combine both; others offer them separately. Always confirm whether "accidental damage" in the quote includes personal possessions away from home before buying.

What happens if the damage was caused by a guest or tradesperson?

Accidental damage typically covers damage caused unintentionally by anyone in the home — including guests and contractors working on the property. However, damage caused by a contractor's negligence may alternatively be recoverable from their public liability insurance. If both routes are available, making a claim on your home insurance is simpler; the insurer may then subrogate against the contractor's liability insurer. For small amounts, consider whether the claim is worth making given the excess and potential premium impact.

Does accidental damage cover gradual deterioration?

No. Accidental damage is specifically for sudden, unforeseen, unintentional damage. Gradual deterioration — damp creeping in, woodworm, wear and tear, rust — is explicitly excluded. The defining test is whether the damage was caused by a single, sudden, accidental event rather than an ongoing process. This is a common basis for claim disputes. See insured peril for how the coverage trigger works.

Consumer alert ·All regions ·2026-10-22 ·5 min read

Accidental Damage Cover on Home Insurance: What It Includes and What It Excludes

Accidental damage is an optional extension on most home insurance policies — it is not included in the standard cover. This article explains what accidental damage covers, what it does not, and whether it is worth paying for.

What accidental damage typically covers

Accidental damage extension covers sudden, unintentional damage that is not caused by a listed peril (fire, flood, storm etc.) and is not the result of gradual deterioration. Standard examples:

Buildings accidental damage

Drilling through a water or gas pipe
Breaking a fixed glass panel or skylight
Foot through the loft floor or ceiling
Cracking a bathroom suite during DIY
Damage to underground pipes or cables on your land

Contents accidental damage

Knocking a television off its stand
Spilling wine on a sofa or carpet
Dropping and breaking a laptop at home
Child breaking a piece of furniture
Accidental damage to home entertainment equipment

Common exclusions

Accidental damage policies typically exclude:

Wear and tear / gradual deterioration — damage that develops over time is not "accidental"
Mechanical or electrical breakdown — a washing machine failing is not an accident
Pets — many policies exclude damage caused by pets, including chewing and scratching (some explicitly include it — check the wording)
Deliberate damage — intentional acts, including deliberate damage by a family member
Items in poor condition — pre-existing damage or items already deteriorating
Business equipment — computers and equipment used for a business may be excluded unless specifically noted

For a full picture of how exclusions work across all policy types, see our guide on exclusions explained. For under-insurance risks on contents, see under-insurance.

Is accidental damage worth adding?

The answer depends on household circumstances. Accidental damage cover is likely worth adding if:

You have young children (elevated risk of breakage, spills, and damage)
You frequently carry out DIY on the property
You own expensive electronics, musical instruments, or artwork kept at home
Your excess on an accidental damage claim is lower than the likely repair cost of common incidents

It is less valuable if your household rarely causes accidental damage, most of your valuable items are covered by specialist policies, or you would not claim for small incidents to protect your no-claims discount.

Accidental damage FAQ

Frequently asked questions

: Buildings accidental damage covers unintentional structural damage — drilling through a pipe, a foot through the ceiling, or a broken window caused by an accident rather than a storm. For most homeowners, the main structural risks (fire, flood, storm, subsidence) are in standard cover. Accidental damage adds value if you frequently do DIY work on the property, have young children, or own an older property more susceptible to incidental damage. The additional premium is modest — typically £30–£80/year — for the peace of mind on incidents that can cost hundreds to fix. See our home insurance buyer's guide for what standard cover includes.
: Standard accidental damage extensions cover items inside the home. For items you carry outside — phones, laptops, cameras, jewellery — you need "personal possessions" or "all risks" cover, which is a separate optional extension. Some policies combine both; others offer them separately. Always confirm whether "accidental damage" in the quote includes personal possessions away from home before buying.
: Accidental damage typically covers damage caused unintentionally by anyone in the home — including guests and contractors working on the property. However, damage caused by a contractor's negligence may alternatively be recoverable from their public liability insurance. If both routes are available, making a claim on your home insurance is simpler; the insurer may then subrogate against the contractor's liability insurer. For small amounts, consider whether the claim is worth making given the excess and potential premium impact.
: No. Accidental damage is specifically for sudden, unforeseen, unintentional damage. Gradual deterioration — damp creeping in, woodworm, wear and tear, rust — is explicitly excluded. The defining test is whether the damage was caused by a single, sudden, accidental event rather than an ongoing process. This is a common basis for claim disputes. See insured peril for how the coverage trigger works.