Accidental damage is an optional cover extension, which can be added to both buildings and contents cover when you purchase a Homeprotect policy.
We define ‘accidental damage’ as a sudden, unexpected, and unforeseen event that results in physical damage and has been caused by a policyholder, an occupant of the property, an invited guest, domestic staff (e.g. a cleaner), a third party (e.g. a delivery person) or a wild animal (e.g. a fox).
We offer two levels of accidental damage cover for buildings – Basic Accidental Damage and Full Accidental Damage.
Our Basic Accidental Damage cover provides up to £1,500 of cover (per claim) for accidental damage to:
Cover is provided in the main home only, not in outbuildings.
Full Accidental Damage extends cover to all parts of your home and outbuildings. So, for example, if you have a DIY disaster and damage the structure of your home, you’ll be covered.
Your main building will be covered up to your buildings sum insured per claim (typically £1 million) and your outbuildings will be covered up to your outbuildings sum insured per claim (typically £20,000 unless you have requested more). The exception to this is in the event of damage to carpets, where there is a £750 claims limit.
Under both our Basic and Full accidental damage options, we also cover damage to underground services (no matter whether the damage was caused accidentally or not).
We define underground services as cables, drain inspection covers and underground drains, pipes or tanks providing services and for which you are responsible.
The cover includes tracing, accessing, and repairing the source of the damage to the underground services as well as reinstating any wall, floor, ceiling, drive, fence or path removed or damaged during the search – but only within the claim limit.
In the event of a blockage of an underground pipe or drain, cover is provided to trace, access and clear the blockage on the basis that you have tried, unsuccessfully, to clear it first using established methods such as rodding.
There are cover restrictions which you should be aware of: