The majority of home insurance policies are missing one key element as standard, Which? has found – and many people may not realise
The majority of home insurance policies do not include accidental damage cover as standard, according to an analysis by consumer group Which?. Many households may mistakenly believe that they are automatically covered for accidental damage when they take out buildings or contents insurance.
However, a review of 78 home insurance policies from 35 providers by Which? revealed that only 28% of buildings insurance policies and 27% of contents policies included accidental damage cover as standard, reports Devon Live.
Many policies offered the cover as an optional extra or provided basic cover that could be upgraded. A survey conducted by Yonder in October 2024 on behalf of Which?, involving 4,000 participants, found that 31% of consumers who had purchased insurance believed their policy would cover them for anything that was not their fault.
Similarly, 29% thought that if they had cover for possessions, they were protected against any event involving those possessions, including accidental damage. In another survey by Which?, involving more than 2,800 participants in June and July 2025 who had attempted to make a claim on their policy in the last two years, accidental damage accounted for approximately a fifth (19%) of cases.
This research was carried out in collaboration with Deltapoll. Just last week, consumer watchdog Which? lodged a super-complaint with the Financial Conduct Authority, voicing its concerns over “serious failings” in the home and travel insurance sectors.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: “When it comes to making a claim on your insurance, it’s sadly all too common to get caught out by the small print.”
A representative for the Association of British Insurers responded: “Home insurance is primarily designed to cover you for significant losses from events such as fire, storms and floods. Accidental damage insurance can cover you for certain mishaps, like spilling paint on the carpet or a window accidentally smashed by a ball.
“It doesn’t include damage that’s due to a lack of upkeep or damage caused by pets and will generally need to be purchased as additional cover, which is widely available. Always check your policy details or speak to your insurer to make sure you have the right level of protection for your needs.”
