Spilled wine on the carpet? Drilled through a pipe?
Accidental Damage on UK Home Insurance — What's Covered?
Standard UK home policies only cover limited accidental damage. See what triggers the full add-on and check your wording in 60 seconds.
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Is your situation covered?
| Scenario | Typical verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling through a water pipe while putting up a shelf | Depends on wording | Covered only if you have the buildings accidental damage add-on. |
| Spilling red wine on the carpet | Depends on wording | Needs contents accidental damage cover — not standard. |
| Cracking the hob while moving a pan | Usually covered | Most policies include accidental damage to glass and ceramic as standard. |
| Child kicks football through a window | Usually covered | Standard buildings cover includes accidental glass breakage. |
| TV falls off wall mount | Depends on wording | Audio/visual accidental damage is usually a separate add-on. |
| Damage caused by pets chewing furniture | Usually not | Excluded on every UK policy — even with the add-on. |
General industry patterns. Your actual cover lives in your policy wording — PolicyPal reads it for you.
The short answer
Standard UK home insurance only covers accidental damage to fixed glass, sanitaryware, and (sometimes) ceramic hobs. Anything else — spills, drilling through pipes, dropped TVs, knocked-over mirrors — needs the optional accidental damage add-on, which costs roughly £30–£70 a year per section (buildings, contents, or both).
Why policy wording matters here
Insurers define accidental damage differently. The key tests are:
- Sudden, unintentional, and external — gradual damage is excluded.
- Caused by you, your family, or a guest — not a contractor (their PL covers that).
- Not the result of DIY going wrong on something you were working on.
- Not damage by pets, vermin, or insects.
- Within the home — most add-ons exclude items taken outside.
What PolicyPal checks
Upload your policy and PolicyPal tells you which accidental damage add-ons you have, which sections (buildings vs contents) are covered, the excess, and any specific exclusions like DIY or pet damage.
Common reasons accidental damage claims get rejected
Most rejections are about cause, not cover.
- Damage was gradual (a slow leak, not a sudden burst).
- Add-on covers contents but the damage was to buildings (or vice-versa).
- DIY exclusion — you were actively working on the item.
- Damage caused by a paid tradesperson — claim their public liability instead.
- Excess (often £100–£250) exceeds the repair cost.
Frequently asked
- Is accidental damage automatic on UK home insurance?
- No — only limited cover for glass, ceramic hobs and sanitaryware is standard. Full accidental damage is a paid add-on.
- How much does the accidental damage add-on cost?
- Typically £30–£70 a year per section. Cheaper than a single carpet replacement or pipe repair.
- Does it cover damage by my children or pets?
- Children yes. Pets no — pet damage is excluded on every mainstream UK policy.
- What about damage by a cleaner or builder?
- Claim against their public liability insurance instead. Your accidental damage cover excludes paid tradespeople.
- Will claiming for a small spill affect my premium?
- Yes — any notified claim affects renewal pricing for 5 years. Check the excess first; under £300 it's often not worth claiming.
Your policy is the only source of truth
Stop guessing. Check your actual policy.
Generic answers don't pay claims. PolicyPal reads your policy wording in seconds and tells you, in one sentence, whether you're covered.