Does home insurance cover accidental damage?
Does home insurance cover accidental damage?
Accidental damage - like a foot through the ceiling, a dropped TV or red wine on the carpet - is not always included as standard. Some South African insurers build limited accidental damage into buildings and contents cover, while others offer it as an optional extra. It covers sudden, unintentional damage but never deliberate damage, wear and tear or faulty workmanship.
Key takeaways
- Accidental damage covers sudden, unintentional physical damage.
- It is standard on some policies and an optional add-on on others.
- Typical examples: dropped electronics, spills, a cracked hob, a foot through a ceiling.
- Wear and tear, gradual damage and deliberate acts are always excluded.
- It can apply to buildings, contents or both - check which you have.
What counts as accidental damage
Accidental damage cover responds to one-off mishaps: knocking a TV off the wall, drilling into a hidden pipe, cracking a glass hob, or spilling something that ruins a carpet. It fills the gap left by standard perils (fire, storm, theft) which only cover specific named events.
Standard vs optional
Some insurers include a limited amount of accidental damage automatically; others sell it as an add-on for an extra premium. If you have young children, expensive electronics or a busy household, the add-on is often worth it. Confirm whether it applies to the building, the contents, or both.
What it never covers
Accidental damage never covers deliberate damage, general wear and tear, mechanical or electrical breakdown, poor workmanship, or damage that happens gradually. Those fall under maintenance or product warranties rather than insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is accidental damage included as standard?
Does accidental damage cover a cracked cellphone or laptop screen?
What's the difference between accidental damage and wear and tear?
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