Is accidental damage worth having?
Asked by: Leanna Marquardt | Last update: December 8, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (56 votes)
Is it worth getting an accidental damage cover?
For home contents, the majority of claims fall under accidental damage. For buildings the cost difference is usually so small that it is common sense to have it. It really depends on the value of your contents and how accident prone you or your family and friends are.
What accidental damage does not cover?
Accidental Damage Protection does not cover events including, but not limited to, theft, loss, damage caused by fire, power surges, vehicle accidents, or acts of nature, normal wear and tear, consumables, or abuse and misuse.
Do you want to add cover for accidental damage?
Is it worth getting accidental damage cover with your home insurance? Accidents can cause expensive damage to your valuable contents like TVs, laptops, carpets and furniture. So, it's worth weighing up the likelihood of unexpected mishaps and the value of your contents.
What is considered an accidental damage?
We define 'accidental damage' as: Loss or damage caused by a sudden, unintended or unexpected event that is not the result of a deliberate act. Examples include you spilling red wine on a carpet by mistake; or you unintentionally dropping and breaking a fragile item, such as a vase.
Understanding Accidental Damage Insurance: What You Need to Know
What counts as accidental damage?
Accidental damage is physical damage that happens out of the blue and is not done on purpose. There needs to be a one-off, single event that causes the damage. This could be: Dropping and breaking your phone at home.
What is an example of accidental damage claim?
For example, if you accidentally spill wine on your carpets or couches, or knock the coffee table over. If you have Allianz Home Insurance and have selected optional Accidental Damage Cover, we'll cover: Your building against accidental damage or loss – if you have Building cover.
Do you pay excess for accidental damage?
This type of insurance can cover a wide array of scenarios, such as spills, breakages, or accidental damage. However, it's essential to understand that not all types of accidental damage may be included in the policy, and an excess will apply for accidental damage claims.
Can I add full coverage after an accident?
Though there's no way to retroactively insure yourself for an accident that has already happened, getting a policy in place quickly after the fact can help mitigate the damage and give you peace of mind that future costs related to the incident will be covered.
Does accidental damage cover TVs?
Typical things that are covered by TV insurance include the following: Accidental damage – Unfortunately accidents happen, and insurers know this. Pets and small children can cause unexpected damages and expensive repair/replacement bills.
Is it worth claiming for TV on home insurance?
But if there's not much difference between the TV's value and the policy excess, you might be better off covering the cost of repairs or a replacement yourself. Remember that claiming on your insurance is likely to push up your premiums. So weigh up whether it's worth it before you start the claims process.
Do I need accidental injury insurance?
Accidents can put anyone out of work
In some cases, you might not be able to work at all due to broken bones or the inability to drive. When that happens, it can make money tight—especially if you're facing multiple medical bills. Accident insurance can provide extra cash during periods of income loss.
What is an accidental damage claim?
Accidental Damage covers unintentional damage to the building or its contents. For example, putting a foot through the ceiling whilst in the attic above, or knocking over the TV. Accidental Damage is an optional cover which provides protection for events not covered by the normal perils of fire, flood, theft, etc.
Is it worth getting increased personal accident cover?
Increased Personal Accident cover may be more appealing if you have dependants, as it can protect not just you, but any additional family members. While a standard personal accident policy will cover the policyholder and partner.
How much property damage coverage should I have?
As a rough rule of thumb, auto insurance experts recommend liability coverage of at least 100/300/100 — meaning, $100,000 in body injury liability insurance per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability per accident.
Is it worth claiming on house insurance?
If it's an amount you could afford to cover yourself, you might be better off not claiming rather than risking a jump in premiums. Plus, it can help to protect any no-claims discount you've built up, which can get you a better price when it comes to renewing your cover.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?
Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.
At what point is full coverage not worth it?
Paying for comprehensive and collision — the coverages that many people mean when they say "full coverage" — may not be worth it if your car's value is minimal and your policy includes a high deductible. Usually, you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car because most lenders require it.
Should I file a claim if I don't have a collision?
You should also file a claim if your car is badly damaged in a single-vehicle incident. Collision insurance will pay for your repairs for most single-car crashes, minus the deductible. If you don't have collision coverage, you'll have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
Is accidental damage worth it?
Deciding whether to add accidental damage cover to your buildings insurance comes down to your personal circumstances and how much risk you're comfortable taking. For many, accidental damage buildings insurance is worth it because it offers protection against incidents that standard policies might not cover.
Do I have to pay if I hit someone's car?
Hitting a parked car is the same as any other kind of car accident when it comes to key issues like fault and insurance coverage. If no insurance covers the incident, the driver who hit the parked car will personally be on the financial hook for any resulting vehicle damage.
What is not covered by accidental damage?
It's important to know that accidental damage cover won't pay out for: Accidents that happen while your property's unoccupied. Deliberate destruction of property or vandalism of belongings. General wear and tear or deterioration over time.
What is typically the most common damage claim?
Water. Water damage comprises 56.90% of California's homeowners insurance claims, making it the most common type of covered loss in the state. Interior plumbing leaks within walls or shower pans make up 17.44% of these water-related claims.
Does insurance pay for accidental damage?
If your policy does not automatically include coverage for accidental damages, which many don't, then you'll often find it listed as an optional add-on. This means that in order to be protected against accidental damage, you would have to have opted into this coverage beforehand.
What is the difference between incidental damage and accidental damage?
Accidental and incidental can both mean "something happening by chance," but usage suggests that "accidental" also implies an element of carelessness or inattention while "incidental" implies the occurrence would have happened with or without attention or care.