Buildings Accidental Damage

Even for those building owners who have insurance, additional accidental damage can be a good hedge against the unexpected.  Things can happen and if there are children in home the chances of mini-disasters go up.  In a busy, bustling household, accidents are bound to happen and being insured against this near probability is a good idea.  While most homes and business are well-insured against fire, flood or other calamity, it is the more common accident that might catch the owner by surprise if the policy is not examined closely for areas where coverage is too weak. 

Often buildings and contents insurance are tied together to save on cost, and sometimes there is confusion as to which covers what on a policy. It needs to be understood clearly that if something can be carried off the premises or is not a permanent fixture of the dwelling, then it would be covered under the contents policy. If, on the other hand, it is permanent and fixed to the property (toilets, light fixtures, sinks, built-in desk or bookcases,) or the actual structure of the building, it is covered by the buildings insurance.  Things attached to property such as fences, walkways, sheds or walls are also covered by this type of policy. This is an important distinction and one the policy owner should really understand well.

If, for example a careless moment saw the family television knocked down and smashed, this could be covered by the contents accidental damage insurance; the owner should be aware that the television, which can be removed for the property, is part of the house’s contents under the policy. 

If, while trying to add another shelf to a built-in bookcase, the owner accidently warped the outer shell, this would not be covered as this is a permanent fixture of the building and not therefore content.  This would need to be covered by buildings accidental damage insurance.

Likewise, if the door to the garage is hit by the car, then this is covered by the buildings accidental damage policy.  The same could be said of the fence if it were struck. The owner should also check any policy carefully for the amount of insurance for accidental too.  From the three scenarios above it can be seen how fast out of pocket expenses could stack up for the owner.  If the owner bought building and content insurance or building insurance merely to be in compliance with a mortgage agreement, then it is possible they are not covered or not covered enough, for most such accidents.  Some insurers limit accident to £1,000, which would fall short of an electronic garage door and perhaps even some fence or bookcase repair would exceed this.

There are of course other moments when the calm of a household is broken by burst pipes destroying the kitchen floor, overflowing toilets or forgotten bathtubs turning into cascading waterfalls ruining the floor and ceiling.  Having buildings accidental damage means the repairs can start immediately and will not break the family’s budget.