Written by George Sweeney Reviewed by Lee Trett
Sources
29 June 2026
First Published
According to estimates, accidental damage is the single most common reason for a home insurance claim in the UK, making up 19% (1 in 5) of all claims. Whether it’s a spilt glass of red wine on a new carpet or a football kicked through a window, accidents happen.
While standard home insurance protects you against major disasters, it rarely covers the more common everyday mishaps. Here, we’ll explain how home insurance can cover accidental damage, what it protects, whether it’s worth the extra cost, and how different insurance providers compare.
What is accidental damage cover?
In the insurance world, "accidental damage" is defined as sudden, unintentional, and unexpected physical damage or breakage.
Accidental damage with home insurance is designed to cover one-off incidents caused by you, your family, or visitors to your home. Because your home insurance is generally split into two parts, accidental damage cover is also split:
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Accidental damage buildings insurance: This covers the physical structure of your home. Accidental damage examples include things like putting your foot through the ceiling while working in the loft, or drilling through hidden water pipes or wires while putting up a shelf.
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Accidental damage home contents insurance: This covers your belongings. So, a home contents insurance policy with accidental damage might cover incidents like dropping your expensive laptop or spilling paint on your sofa.
Do all home insurance policies cover accidental damage?
No, the majority of standard home insurance policies do not automatically cover accidental damage. There are some premium policies out there that do include it, but it’s a relatively small number.
While some premium, top-tier insurance policies include it as standard, the vast majority of mainstream providers offer accidental damage cover as an optional extra (an "add-on") that you must actively select and pay an additional premium for when setting up your home insurance policy.
Do you need accidental damage cover on home insurance?
There’s no legal requirement to have it, so deciding whether you need accidental damage cover on your home insurance ultimately comes down to your lifestyle, your household, and your personal appetite for financial risk.
You should strongly consider adding or including this cover if:
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You have young children: Kids are naturally prone to knocking things over, spilling drinks, and accidentally breaking screens.
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You own expensive items: If you’ve got laptops, TVs, record players, or any other sort of high-priced items - these can be extremely costly to repair or replace, and home contents insurance accidental damage cover acts as a safety net.
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You frequently do DIY: If you’re prone to tackling home improvement projects, the risk of accidentally damaging walls, pipes, or glass increases significantly.
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You have an active, busy household: The more people constantly moving through your home, the higher the statistical chance of a sudden breakage or accident.
When weighing up whether home insurance accidental damage is worth it, you have to compare the small increase in your premiums against the potential cost and stress of replacing your most expensive items out of pocket.
How to compare home insurance quotes
Because accidental damage cover is usually an optional add-on, comparing quotes can be tricky. A policy that looks incredibly cheap at first glance might become much more expensive once you manually add buildings and contents accidental damage cover to the quote.
Also, each insurer will have varying single-item limits (the maximum they’ll pay out for an item) and distinct policy exclusions. If you’re trying to find the best home and contents insurance accidental damage policy, using an independent insurance broker is the smartest approach.
A broker can compare the whole market, ensuring you get comprehensive cover with the right accidental damage limits, rather than just the cheapest, bare-bones policy. If you’d like to speak with an experienced home insurance adviser about comparing quotes, you can get started below.
Explore your home insurance options
Best home insurance providers for accidental damage
Here are some of the most popular home insurance providers in the UK that offer accidental damage cover:
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Home insurer |
Accidental damage approach |
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Included as standard with their top-tier “Platinum” policies. For “Silver” and “Gold” policies, it must be added as an optional extra. However, some notable exclusions relate to damage caused by pets scratching, chewing, or tearing. |
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Cover included with Admiral’s “Platinum” policies. You get some accidental cover with “Gold,” and it’s an optional add-on for all standard “Admiral” policies. You can also get cover for your undeclared valuables up to £2,000. |
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Included as standard with their top-tier “Allianz Online Gold” policy. For “Silver” and “Bronze” tiers, it is an optional add-on. They have a helpful “matching sets” feature, meaning if a sofa is damaged beyond repair, they will contribute 50% towards replacing the matching armchair. |
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Included automatically if you upgrade to their “Aviva Premium” tier. On their standard “Aviva Online” tier, they offer “Limited” accidental damage (covering just fixed glass and sanitary ware) with the option to pay more for “Extra” accidental damage to cover the rest of the building and contents. |
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Included as standard on their "Premier" policy. For standard policies, it is split into two add-ons: you can buy it just for contents, or just for buildings. AXA is very strict on excluding damage caused by poor DIY workmanship. |
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Barclays home insurance is underwritten by external partners (currently Aviva/LV=). Accidental damage is an optional add-on, but their "Premium" tier usually bundles full accidental damage along with higher single-item limits for tech. |
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Bradford & Bingley no longer offers active insurance policies to the public following its nationalisation and subsequent winding down. |
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Included automatically if you buy their "Home Plus" policy. If you buy standard Churchill cover, you have to add it on. They are known for having a very simple, straightforward claims process for accidental tech damage (like dropping laptops). |
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Offered as an optional add-on. Co-op frequently bundles accidental damage into promotional offers for new customers, making it a very cost-effective upgrade if you manage to catch a sale. |
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Included as standard with their "Home Insurance Plus" tier. On standard policies, it’s an optional extra. Direct Line is unique because it does not appear on comparison sites, and its standard accidental damage cover for mobile phones and tablets in the home is considered very comprehensive. |
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Endsleigh specialises in students and renters. They offer a specific "Tenant Accidental Damage" add-on to protect your deposit if you accidentally damage your landlord's fixtures, fittings, or furniture. |
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Offered as an optional add-on across their standard policies. They specifically separate accidental damage into "Buildings" (like drilling a pipe) and "Contents" (like spilling paint on a rug), allowing you to choose one or both. |
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Halifax home insurance (part of the Lloyds Banking Group) includes accidental damage as standard on their "Ultimate" tier. For standard cover, it’s an optional add-on. |
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HSBC home insurance is underwritten by Aviva. Accidental damage is included as standard on their "Premier" tier, but must be added as an optional extra on their standard "Select" policies. |
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Included as standard on their "Premier" tier. For their "Essential" and "Plus" tiers, it is an optional add-on. John Lewis is popular for its generous single-item limits when claiming for accidentally damaged luxury goods. |
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Included automatically on their "Ultimate" home insurance tier. If you have their standard "Home Insurance" policy, you must select and pay for accidental damage as an add-on. |
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Included as standard on their "Home Plus" policy. On standard policies, they offer "Extended Accidental Damage" as an extra. LV= prides itself on offering fair and transparent claims handling for accidental damage to personal belongings. |
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Included automatically on their "Premier" home insurance tier. For their standard cover, it must be added. M&S policies are underwritten by Aviva and typically offer high claim limits for accidental damage to contents. |
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Included as standard on their "Home Insurance" policies if you select their higher levels of cover. Nationwide policies (underwritten by RSA) have strict guidelines about what constitutes an "accident" versus general wear and tear. |
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NatWest home insurance (underwritten by UK Insurance Limited) includes accidental damage as standard on their "Premium" tier, while it remains an optional add-on for standard policies. |
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Uniquely, NFU Mutual often includes accidental damage as standard on their core "Bespoke" home insurance policies, reflecting their premium, comprehensive approach to cover. |
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Included as standard on their "Platinum" tier. For standard policies, it must be added as an optional extra. They clearly differentiate between basic accidental damage (like a smashed window) and full accidental damage (like dropping a laptop). |
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While known for breakdown cover, RAC home insurance offers accidental damage as an optional add-on. They provide flexible excess options, allowing you to lower your premium if you agree to pay more in the event of an accidental damage claim. |
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RBS home insurance (underwritten by UK Insurance Limited) requires you to add accidental damage as an optional extra on standard policies, but it is bundled into their "Premium" tier offerings. |
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Specialising in the over-50s market, Saga includes accidental damage as standard on its "Saga Plus" policy. They have a unique "three-year fixed price" promise, meaning a small accidental damage claim won't spike your premium the following year. |
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Included as standard on their "Premier" tier. For standard policies, it is an optional add-on. Sainsbury's Bank home insurance policies are currently underwritten by a panel of insurers, meaning the exact accidental damage terms can vary slightly. |
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Santander home insurance (underwritten by Aviva) offers accidental damage as an optional add-on for its standard tier, but it is included automatically if you opt for the upgraded cover levels. |
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Sheila's Wheels |
Offered as an optional add-on. They allow you to add accidental damage cover for buildings, contents, or both. They clearly state that damage caused by pets is excluded from their accidental damage cover. |
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As a broker, Swinton compares policies from a panel of insurers. Their "Premier" policies generally include accidental damage, while their "Essentials" and "Classic" tiers will require you to add it. |
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Included as standard on their "Home Insurance Premium" tier. For standard policies, it is an optional add-on. They often offer Clubcard discounts on the cost of the accidental damage premium. |
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Zurich generally offers accidental damage as an optional add-on, allowing you to tailor the cover. They are known for their strong global backing and comprehensive cover for high-value tech items damaged within the home. |
Cost of accidental damage home insurance
Adding accidental damage to your policy is highly cost-effective when you look at the real-world data regarding how often these mishaps occur.
According to market research, accidental damage is the most common reason for a home insurance claim in the UK, accounting for around 19% of all claims made.
While the average add-on cost can be low, your bespoke home insurance quote will be directly impacted by several specific factors:
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Voluntary excess: The higher your voluntary excess (the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before the insurer steps in), the lower your annual premium will be. However, a high excess means you won't be able to claim for cheaper, everyday breakages.
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Total value of contents: If your home is filled with expensive electronics, designer furniture, or high-end appliances, the insurer takes on more financial risk, which will naturally increase the premium.
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High-value specific items: Most policies have a "single item limit" (often around £1,000 to £2,000). If you have exceptionally expensive individual items that exceed this limit, you must name them specifically on the policy, which increases the cost of cover.
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Your household: Insurers factor in the risk profile of who lives at the property. A bustling household with multiple young children presents a statistically higher risk of accidental breakages than a single professional living alone.
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Location and property size: Just like your base home insurance, larger properties with more rooms simply have more structural elements and contents that could potentially suffer sudden damage.
You can use our home insurance calculator to estimate the cost of potential damage, to help you ensure you find the right level of cover for your budget.
Get independent home insurance advice today
Finding the right level of cover requires balancing your premium costs with the exact risks your household faces. If you want to ensure your entire house and everything within it are fully protected from everyday mishaps, getting the right policy is key.
Here’s why homeowners choose Money Helpdesk when arranging their accidental damage home insurance policies:
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Access to independent, FCA-regulated home insurance advisers
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Help comparing quotes from across the entire UK market
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Expert guidance on policy exclusions, single-item limits, and excesses
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A free initial consultation with no obligation to proceed further
If you’d like help finding the best home insurance policy for your circumstances, you can arrange a free, no-obligation chat with an independent adviser here.
FAQs
It’s highly recommended for most households, but particularly if you have children, frequently host guests, or own expensive, easily breakable technology (like large TVs or laptops).
While it adds a small amount to your premium, the peace of mind and financial protection it offers against everyday accidents make it extremely useful for most households.
By default, most standard home insurance policies do not cover accidental damage. A basic policy covers only specific insured perils, such as fire, flood, theft, and storm damage.
Unless you pick a premium policy, to be protected against dropping, spilling, or accidentally breaking items, you must specifically request and purchase "accidental damage cover" as a policy add-on.
Common examples of accidental damage to contents include spilling a cup of coffee over a laptop, damaging a sofa, dropping or knocking a television while moving it, or smashing expensive homewares.
Examples of accidental building damage include putting a nail through a water pipe while hanging a picture, or a child kicking a ball through a double-glazed window.
If you have a home insurance accidental damage claim to make, you should contact your insurer's claims department as soon as possible. You’ll need to explain exactly how the incident happened.
It’s vital to take clear photographs of the damage before attempting to clean it up or dispose of the item. You’ll also need to provide proof of purchase or a valuation for the damaged item, so try to keep receipts for any important contents. You may also be required to pay your policy excess.
This is a very common exclusion. Most standard accidental damage policies explicitly exclude damage caused by pets, such as a dog chewing a sofa, a cat scratching a carpet, or a pet vomiting on something expensive.
If you want protection against your animals, you usually need to look for a specialist provider that offers specific "pet damage" cover.
No, accidental damage home insurance, explained simply, covers sudden, one-off events. It will never cover gradual deterioration, mechanical breakdown (such as a washing machine motor failing), or standard wear and tear (such as a carpet wearing thin over the years).
However, each insurer has different definitions of what they consider wear and tear, so it’s extremely useful to understand how each policy defines it.