10 April 2026
Your 2026 Guide to Accidental Damage Insurance
3 minutes
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Accidental damage insurance covers sudden, unintentional damage caused by everyday mishaps inside the home.
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It is usually an optional add‑on to buildings or contents insurance rather than a standard inclusion.
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This type of cover can be particularly useful for households with children, pets, or busy routines where accidents are more likely.
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Accidental damage policies have limits, so understanding exclusions like wear and tear or faulty workmanship is essential.
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Comparing policies with a broker can help ensure accidental damage cover matches how your home is used and what you want protected.
Accidents happen all the time, and some can be costlier than others. That's why we have home insurance, and yet, not all standard policies provide enough protection when the worst accidents happen.
That's where accidental damage cover steps in, providing that extra bit of reassurance and confidence for when you're left dealing with the full cost when something goes wrong unexpectedly. Here we outline what accidental damage insurance is, what it covers, and how you can get your hands on this type of protection.
What’s covered
- What is accidental damage insurance?
- Is accidental damage insurance worth it?
- What does accidental damage insurance include?
- How to get a quote?
- FAQs
Get in touch with us! A member of the Howden team would love to help you find a policy that's right for you!
What is accidental damage insurance?
Accidental damage insurance offers protection when something in your home is affected by unintentional damage that needs repairing or replacing.
It's an optional extra that you can add to your home policy, designed to sit alongside your buildings insurance or contents insurance. Many people choose to add accidental damage cover for peace of mind because household accidents can happen at any time and often cost more to fix than expected.
Whether it's a cracked TV screen or a spill that ruins your carpet, this type of cover helps reduce the financial impact of everyday mishaps.
Is it worth it?
Accidental damage cover is worth considering if you want broader protection against the small but significant incidents that happen without warning.
Households with children, pets or busy day‑to‑day routines often find it especially useful because accidents happen more frequently in these environments. The benefit is simple: instead of paying for replacements yourself, your insurer can step in to help.
Howden Insurance can support you in comparing home insurance options to help you decide whether accidental damage suits your home and lifestyle.
What does accidental damage cover include?
Depending on whether you add accidental damage cover to your contents or home insurance policy, it may include:
- Damaged TVs, laptops or home entertainment systems
- Stains, spills or marks on carpets and soft furnishings
- Cracked bathroom fittings like sinks or shower trays
- Broken glass in windows, mirrors or glass furniture
- DIY mistakes like drilling into a pipe or causing damage while decorating
These are the everyday slip‑ups that cannot be predicted but can often be expensive to fix.
What’s excluded?
Accidental damage cover has its limits, so understanding what isn’t included is just as important as knowing what is covered.
Common exclusions may include:
- Wear and tear or gradual deterioration
- Damage caused by pets such as scratching or chewing
- Faulty workmanship or ongoing maintenance issues
- Electrical breakdowns or mechanical failures
- Accidents that occur during large renovation projects unless agreed in advance
Always check your policy wording carefully so you know where the boundaries of your cover sit. We can also help you get a clear understanding of what a policy may or may not cover.
How to get a quote
Getting a quote, whether it be for a buildings, contents or home insurance policy, is simple and only takes a few minutes.
Howden Insurance can support you by comparing different levels of cover and explaining the difference between adding accidental damage to buildings insurance versus contents insurance policies.
Many customers who already come to us for other insurance products find it convenient to add accidental damage cover at the same time, ensuring their home is protected from life’s unexpected moments.
*Note: This is a marketing article from Howden Insurance. The information in this guide is accurate at time of publication. This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice.
FAQs
Does accidental damage cover mobile phones?
Some policies include mobile phones inside the home while others require a separate gadget policy. Always check what is included before assuming your device is covered.
What’s the difference between accidental damage on a buildings policy compared to a contents policy?
Buildings insurance accidental damage applies to the structure of your home including fixtures and fittings. Contents accidental damage applies to personal belongings such as furniture and household items.
How much does accidental damage insurance cost?
Costs vary depending on the size of your home, the value of your belongings and whether you choose to add accidental damage as an optional extra to buildings or contents insurance.
What’s classed as accidental damage?
Accidental damage refers to sudden, unexpected and unintentional damage caused by a one‑off incident such as a spill, breakage or impact inside the home.