What is Accidental Damage?
Accidental damage insurance is designed to keep you covered against the cost of repairs or damage to the buildings and contents following an unexpected accident or crisis. You can have accidental damage as part of your flexible landlord insurance policy. This may be included within your policy or available as an optional extra. It is important to double-check before buying.
What does accidental damage cover in landlords’ insurance?
The definition is generally uniform across insurance policies: accidental damage occurs because of an unexpected, non-deliberate, or external action by a third party. In other words, the damage is unintentional—a one-off incident that harms your property or contents. Examples include dropping a mobile phone in a sink and breaking it, or spilling a glass of red wine on a new beige carpet.
Policies differ, so it is important to understand your specific cover. Some policies offer “new for old” replacement, while others provide “like for like” cover, so always check the terms.
Not every policy includes accidental damage insurance. Some policies exclude damage to unoccupied areas, pets, or malicious damage, and may not cover contents unless the contents cover is added. To understand the difference between accidental and malicious damage, read our article What is Malicious Damage Insurance?.
For a deeper look at accidental damage and whether landlords need it, see Accidental Damage – Do Landlords Need This in Their Insurance.
Is DIY damage included?
Accidental damage insurance often protects you against DIY accidents and other home mishaps, such as spilling wine on a sofa. However, some policies may exclude certain plumbing or electrical work done by amateurs, like accidentally drilling through a water pipe. Professional contractors usually have their own cover under professional indemnity insurance.
Accidental damage accounts for half of all contents insurance claims. Landlords must distinguish between contents and building cover and ensure they have the right policy. Normal wear and tear, damage by domestic animals, or poor workmanship are typically excluded.
What does it cover?
Accidental damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing property or contents damaged in a one-off incident. This could come under landlords’ contents insurance. Not all insurers include it by default, so it may be an optional extra.
It will not cover items that deteriorate over time, like a threadbare carpet, or tenants’ own furniture. Familiarising yourself with your policy is key to understanding what is included and what is not.
Extra damage cover is available as part of flexible landlord insurance from iInsure365. Make sure to read all exclusions carefully. Conventional home insurance policies may not cover buy-to-let properties, so it is important to verify your cover.
How much does accidental damage buildings insurance cost?
The cost varies depending on property size and value. Landlords with a single property will pay differently from those with a large portfolio, whether domestic or commercial. Speak to us to get a quote tailored to your circumstances, and to understand the extent of cover and sum insured.
What does landlord insurance cover?
Tenants are responsible for insuring their own valuables, but some landlords’ policies cover contents up to a certain limit. Landlord insurance often includes public liability insurance, which protects you against injury to tenants or damage to their belongings.
There are various extra options available, so it is best to contact our registered office for a quotation. Accidental damage claims can be complex, so confirm whether your policy covers the specific claim.
For a broader guide to landlord insurance, see Landlord Insurance Overview.
Landlords and buildings insurance: what does it cover?
Building insurance covers several risks, including full replacement or repair costs following an insured event. Risks generally include:
- Fire or smoke
- Theft
- Vandalism or malicious damage
- Lightning, storm, or earthquake
- Burst pipes
- Vehicle impact
- Falling trees, animals, aircraft, and aerials
- Civil commotion
- Property owner’s liability
When requesting a quote from iInsure365, you will need the rebuild value of your property.
Do I need landlord and building insurance?
Landlord insurance is an umbrella term covering building and contents insurance for rental properties. Mortgage providers often require building insurance and may request to be noted as an interested party.
For landlords with multiple properties, property portfolio insurance can be a convenient and cost-effective option. It allows all properties to be covered under one policy, often with discounted premiums.
Types of landlord insurance
You can choose insurance based on your specific needs:
- Block of flats insurance: Covers entire blocks, including commercial tenants if applicable. Learn more in Residential Blocks of Flats Insurance.
- Contents insurance: Covers household items, appliances, and sometimes tenant belongings, depending on the policy.
- Building insurance: Covers repair or reconstruction costs due to fire, flood, vandalism, and other insured events.
- Public liability: Covers injury or property damage claims from third parties.
Other considerations
- Fire cover: Most comprehensive policies include repair/reconstruction costs for fire damage.
- Water damage/flood cover: Often included, but check your policy and your area.
It is your responsibility to ensure your policy meets your needs. Every insurer differs, so review exclusions carefully.
Get a quote
For instant quotes:
- Instant cover – Compare up to three quotes.
- Unoccupied property insurance
- Commercial property policy
Arranging insurance with iInsure365 is simple: call 01273 827090 or fill out a request for a call form. We will ensure your property portfolio is properly covered at the right price through our panel of insurers.
