What a wonderful evening. The beef bourguignon was a hit with your guests, and it seems like just the right time to open another bottle of red. And then, catastrophe! The bottle slips from your fingers and crashes to the ground, dousing your new white carpet so generously with wine that you instantly know that it's ruined. Will my insurance cover this, you wonder?
Accidental damage insurance covers everyday mishaps like breakages, damage to household items – and wine spillages. Accidental damage is usually defined as unforeseen and unintentional damage caused by sudden and external factors.
What will accidental damage cover?
Accidental damage is sometimes standard and sometimes sold as an optional extra on home insurance policies.
If its optional you'll need to add accidental damage to both your home contents and your buildings insurance if you want to cover possible misfortune.
For example, accidental damage on your home contents insurance could cover:
- Accidents caused by children, such as knocking over the television or a vase.
- Damage to audio or video equipment.
- If someone tips red wine on to your carpet.
- Damage to furniture.
Accidental damage included in your buildings insurance should cover you:
- If your pride and joy puts a football through the window.
- If someone hammers a nail through a water pipe while hanging a picture.
As with any kind of insurance, policies vary from insurer to insurer, so check your policy carefully to find out exactly what you are covered for.
What isn't covered by accidental damage insurance?
Accidental damage doesn't cover general wear and tear, such as damage by pets. If the cat likes to sharpen its claws on your sofa, your insurer won't be able to help.
Bad workmanship probably won't be covered either. So if a plumber mucks something up, you'll have to pay for it.
Other things accidental damage insurance may not cover include:
- Damage to clothing
- Mechanical failure
- Deterioration with age
- Structural alterations to your building.
Again, policies vary, so it's possible that some insurers may cover the things listed here.
Do make sure any costly personal possessions are specified on your policy, otherwise those valuables and precious personal items may not be covered.
Should I beef up my home contents insurance with accidental damage?
It depends. If you live alone or with a partner you might find that standard home contents insurance is perfectly fine for your low risk lifestyle. If children enter the frame, however, the routine calamity that follows could make you keen to protect the house and its contents.
Accidental damage may also be worth exploring depending on the kind of area you live in. For example, some policies might cover you for damage done by wild animals that get into your house. Or perhaps the aftermath of a storm might be classed as accidental damage.
You can add accidental damage cover to our Silver and Gold buildings and contents insurance when you get a quote.
Or choose our Platinum level of home insurance which already comes with accidental damage.
Author: The AA. Updated 6 June 2025.
