What is classed as accidental damage to buildings?

Asked by: Hulda Greenfelder  |  Last update: July 22, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (34 votes)

Accidental damage insurance covers windows, underground pipework that you are responsible for (oil, water supply, gas), drains, cables, sanitary ware and fixtures & fittings. Examples of such accidents could be putting your foot through the ceiling, or burning a kitchen surface with a hot pan.

What does accidental damage to buildings include?

Accidental damage is defined as sudden and unexpected damage to your property or contents by an outside force. For instance, spilling a drink and staining the carpet, or drilling through a pipe. Accidental damage cover is sometimes included in home insurance, but usually it's sold as an optional extra.

What is not covered by accidental damage?

Portable electronics and clothes are often excluded from contents insurance accidental damage policies, so check with your insurer. Damage caused by animals, like a pet chewing your furniture, isn't usually covered.

What's accidental damage cover?

Accidental damage insurance covers unintentional damage to the building or its contents. This is different from Home and Contents Insurance, which protects you in the event of fire, storm, or theft.

What is accidental damage to home?

Accidental damage insurance can cover unforeseen mishaps around the home that can occur in everyday life. It can be included as standard, or may be an optional extra that can be added to home and/or contents insurance. Damaged carpets, furniture, ornaments, TVs and more could be covered under your policy.

Home Insurance made simple - accidental damage for buildings insurance

20 related questions found

Does accidental damage cover screen damage?

Accidental drops, spills, bumps, and structural failures incurred under normal operating conditions or handling, including electrical surges and damage to the integrated LCD screen. If you have on-site warranty coverage, you may qualify for on-site ADP repairs3.

Is there an excess for accidental damage?

Accidental damage is generally an optional extra on a home or contents insurance policy. Some insurers offer different levels of cover, with the more premium (and more expensive) levels often including it as standard.

What is the difference between accidental damage and listed events?

The concept of Accidental damage: Where Defined events policies cover only the specific events listed in the policy, accidental damage policies conversely cover all accidental loss or damage to buildings or contents, other than those events specifically excluded by the contract.

What is accidental loss or damage?

Accidental Loss or Damage means damage to, loss or destruction of your buildings or contents caused by an unintentional act, or a sudden or unexpected incident.

Is fire covered under accidental damage?

Yes. Accidental fire damage to your home or your belongings is covered by standard home insurance policies. If you have separate buildings and contents insurance, fire damage will be included in both. Often a fire - even a small one that might quickly be contained - results in a lot of smoke damage.

Can you sue for accidental damage to property?

If an item causes damage to your property through no fault of your own, you may have a legal right to claim compensation (also known as claiming 'damages').

Does building insurance cover structural damage?

Unfortunately, home insurance policies usually don't cover any damage caused to your home by structural problems, and termite damage is also usually not covered by home insurance policies.

Does homeowners insurance cover paint spilled on carpet?

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover sudden and accidental losses and spilling paint on the carpet is a covered loss.

Is a fitted kitchen covered by buildings insurance?

Unlike contents insurance where you are ensuring items that you could take with you if you moved house, buildings insurance covers the structure of the building and any permanent fixtures and fittings such fitted kitchens.

Are boundary walls covered by insurance?

'Many policies also cover outbuildings, boundary walls, gates, pools, drives and paths as standard,' she adds. By contrast,contents insurance protects the items within the property, your possessions. This can include everything from furniture and furnishings to clothes, TVs and gaming consoles.

What can you claim on building insurance?

Buildings insurance usually covers loss or damage caused by: fire, explosion, storms, floods, earthquakes. theft, attempted theft and vandalism. frozen and burst pipes.

What is accidental damage to furniture?

Accidental damage insurance for furniture typically covers things like: Accidental staining - for example, tea and coffee, and foods like curry and chocolate. Accidents caused by children - like damaging the sofa frame by jumping on it.

Can I claim broken TV on house insurance?

Homeowners insurance covers personal property loss — including broken or stolen TVs — when it's caused by a covered peril, including fire, lightning, and vandalism. But if your TV falls off your wall or it simply stops working, you likely won't be covered.

What are the events covered by insurance?

General Accident

Covers equipment for sound, projection, lighting, filming, sound recording, broadcasting and reproduction, in case of accidental damage or destruction, burglary, theft, or short circuits, over-voltage, or inductions.

What is covered in house insurance?

Home contents insurance covers you against loss, theft or damage to your personal and home possessions. It can also cover you if you take items out of the home, on holiday, for example. The insurance covers your own possessions and those of close family members living with you.

What defines event covering?

What is a Defined Events Home insurance policy? Defined Events insurance policies cover certain events, such as fire, wind, water, storm, earthquake, cyclone, malicious and impact damage and burglary.

Can you claim Mould damage on insurance?

As a starting point, most insurance policies do not cover mould. That is, most insurance policies expressly state that they do not cover damage if the primary cause of it is mould; eg rising damp. However, most policies will pay if the mould damage is secondary to an insured event.

Does contents insurance cover accidental damage?

Contents insurance accidental damage

Mishaps involving your personal belongings are covered under contents insurance with accidental damage cover. Policies typically include: damage to your laptop, mobile phone or tablet at home. TVs and stereo systems that have been unintentionally physically broken.

What does accidental warranty cover?

Accidental Coverage is an option for new, store-purchased items and protects against drops and spills. Accidental Coverage is typically offered as an option for MP3 Players, Laptops, GPS Devices, Cameras, and other portable electronics.

What is physical damage in warranty?

Physical damage includes but is not limited to: Liquid spills, cracks and scratches to the screen, bezel and accessories. If your notebook has physical damage we will be happy to repair or fix it but the repair will be handled as out of warranty repair and you will be charged for parts and labour.