Published 21 January 2026
What is accidental damage cover?
Accidental damage cover is an optional extra that protects your belongings from unexpected mishaps in your home. It enhances your standard contents insurance by covering those sudden accidents, giving you financial protection and peace of mind.
What does accidental damage mean in home insurance?
Accidental damage is sudden, unexpected harm caused by external means that isn't deliberate. Unlike wear and tear or electrical breakdown due to age, it covers one-off incidents. Your claim will be subject to your chosen excess – the amount you pay before your insurer covers the rest.
What does accidental damage cover include?
Accidental damage cover on your contents insurance protects you against unexpected mishaps at home.
Here's what a typical policy covers:
What isn't covered by accidental damage insurance?
X Pet damage, such as chewed furniture or scratched carpets.
X Poor maintenance or neglect of your property.
X Wear and tear or gradual deterioration.
X Deliberate damage caused by you or someone living in your home.
Remember to review your policy wording carefully, as exclusions can vary between insurers.
An overview of what is and isn’t overed by accidental damage
Swipe to view more
| Covered | Not covered |
| Spillages on carpets | Pet damage (chewing/scratching) |
| Broken electronics | General wear and tear |
| DIY mishaps | Deliberate damage |
Do you need accidental damage cover for buildings insurance?
Accidental damage cover protects the structure of your home against unexpected mishaps. Consider adding this cover if you are:
- DIY enthusiasts who might accidentally drill through pipes or put a foot through the ceiling.
- Older properties with higher risk of accidental damage during maintenance.
- Landlords needing protection against unintentional tenant damage.
Is accidental damage home insurance worth it?
Do I need accidental damage cover as a renter?
Accidental damage renter’s insurance is not a requirement as a tenant but it can give you a little extra peace of mind, as your belongings won’t be covered by your landlord’s home insurance.
Replacing your possessions when they’re broken can be stressful, costly and time-consuming, so having a policy in place that helps make the process easier and more affordable can take a weight off your shoulders. As well as protecting your own possessions, accidental damage cover can also help if you accidentally damage the landlord’s fixtures and fittings.
When choosing the right cover for you, remember you may have to purchase accidental damage as an additional extra to your home insurance. Many insurance policies for tenants don’t include it by default. Standard home contents insurance would mean your belongings were protected in the event of a fire, flood or theft, but not necessarily from an accident in the home, like something being dropped, spilled, or knocked over.
We hope that’s helped explain what accidental damage cover means. If you’re interested in a home insurance policy you manage yourself online, why not get a quote? We protect your home and the things you love – trust us to keep insurance simple.
