Can I claim under contents insurance for damage done by SN child?

DawnRose8

My child has violent outbursts due to their condition. They have today repeatedly kicked the electric wall heater until it's broken. This may be unsafe so I will need to get it replaced.
Can I claim under house insurance?

silvercar

Do you have accidental damage as a cover extension on your policy?

Aylesbury_Duck

Best to check your policy documents then give them a call.

Sea_Shell

Is it accidental though? They could feel it's "wilful" or "malicious" damage (by the occupant) which could be excluded.

What is your excess (assuming you do have AD cover)?

Also, if they think there is a risk that this might happen again, they may refuse renewal or hike your premiums.

SHAFT

silvercar wrote: »

Do you have accidental damage as a cover extension on your policy?

The damage doesn't sound like it's accidental and they may want a crime number to cover criminal damage.

Tigsteroonie

I have been taking out accidental damage top-up on our buildings & contents insurance since our son turned 2 years old and his disabilities became apparent, with the same hope of being able to claim - fortunately I've never had to test the need.

When we bought new appliances for this house five years ago (kitchen empty on moving), I had a long conversation with AO's aftersales team about whether damage caused by our son would be covered by their insurance scheme. I asked that the call be recorded and kept. They assured me that if our son was unaware - through disability - that his actions would cause such damage, then it would be considered accidental and be covered. I had visions of him opening and standing on the dishwasher door ... Again, we haven't needed to claim (yet).

bris

It's a deliberate act so not covered. You could claim accidental but that would be fraud.


Unless violent outburst from family members is on your policy then you just have to let your conscience decide whether to claim or not.

silvercar

Sea_Shell wrote: »

Is it accidental though? They could feel it's "wilful" or "malicious" damage (by the occupant) which could be excluded.

What is your excess (assuming you do have AD cover)?

Also, if they think there is a risk that this might happen again, they may refuse renewal or hike your premiums.

SHAFT wrote: »

The damage doesn't sound like it's accidental and they may want a crime number to cover criminal damage.

bris wrote: »

It's a deliberate act so not covered. You could claim accidental but that would be fraud.


Unless violent outburst from family members is on your policy then you just have to let your conscience decide whether to claim or not.

Would have thought the “accident” justification of the claim was that the parent didn’t get to intervene in time to prevent the damage.

shortcrust

silvercar wrote: »

Would have thought the “accident” justification of the claim was that the parent didn’t get to intervene in time to prevent the damage.

I don’t see how a deliberate act can be considered an accident because the person who did it is a child with a disability. We’re not talking about a situation like Tigsteroonie describes where the child isn’t aware that the action will cause the damage.