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Home Insurance - Accidental Damage?

Hi there

I am just about to renew my build n cont insurance and was wondering if someone could advice on how important the accidental damage (for both build n cont) is?

I know it depends on personal circumstances but I would like some general opinion. Is it worth spending extra £40-50 for both or is one Imp than the other ..

Thnks

Comments

  • VictorM_2
    VictorM_2 Posts: 150 Forumite
    As I said in your other post it is very useful to have - one of the most common things claimed for after water damage from leaking pipes.
  • bulktrans
    bulktrans Posts: 622 Forumite
    thnks will go ahead and get covers for both build n content acc damage :-) thnx
  • jem16
    jem16 Posts: 19,718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    bulktrans wrote: »

    I know it depends on personal circumstances but I would like some general opinion. Is it worth spending extra £40-50 for both or is one Imp than the other ..

    Thnks

    I usually take it out on both. Can be handy if you trip in the loft and put your foot through the ceiling or drop a tin of paint all over your nice new carpet or knock over your nice new plasma.
  • loracan1
    loracan1 Posts: 2,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I've never bothered with accidental damage cover on contents (water damage is covered under normal insurance) but happened to get free cover last year for audio and visual items...fortunately so, since it came in handy when my brand new plasma was wrecked!

    I'm definitely going to make a point of getting it from now on.
  • *Scarlett
    *Scarlett Posts: 1,760 Forumite
    Hi bulktrans.

    Familiarise youself with what the standard policy covers you for and what you need accidental damage for.

    Normal perils include fire, theft, flood, subsidence, malicicious damage, storm, damage caused by burst pipes and others. Some policies will include a standard accidental cover on your B&C maybe for bathroom sanitary ware and audiovisual equipment - TVs, computers etc.

    Check the excess on the policy. If you have opted for a higher excess it may not be worth having accidental damage cover.

    Also consider your lifestyle and claims history. If you are normally careful in your home and don't normally claim, the standard cover may be ok. If you have expensive furniture that you would want to claim for if it was damaged go for the accidental on contents.

    The one other thing I think of on buildings is snow bringing down guttering - this would come under accidental damage and you might want to insure for this.
  • katsu
    katsu Posts: 5,027 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Mortgage-free Glee!
    We personally insure the building for accidental damage, but not the contents as we don't have things like a big expensive TV and would generally repair or replace anything damaged and not want to make a claim as it wouldn't be worthwhile to claim for standard furniture.
    Debt at highest: £8k. Debt Free 31/12/2009. Original MFD May 2036, MF Dec 2018.
  • bulktrans
    bulktrans Posts: 622 Forumite
    thnx guys I just went for both acc damage just for my peace of mind .. thnx for all the advice .. really appreciate it:-)
  • rs65
    rs65 Posts: 5,682 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Just for info, here is an extract from my latest schedule:-

    Buildings (Extra) Accidental Damage £18.00
    Buildings £91.00
    Contents (Extra) Accidental Damage £0.00
    Contents £80.00
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