What is covered in accidental damage cover in home contents insurance?
Accidental damage cover in your home contents insurance covers costs for any damages you cause yourself. This could be to your bicycle or phone, for example. Comparis explains what risks and items are covered.
23.11.2023
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1. What is accidental damage cover in home contents insurance?
Accidental damage cover in home contents insurance covers self-inflicted damage to your own household contents. This insurance only covers accidental damage. The sum insured starts at 2,000 francs per claim. Cover usually applies worldwide.
Accidental damage cover is often offered as an add-on to home contents insurance. Some insurers also offer accidental damage cover for particular categories of items, such as electrical goods or sports equipment.
2. What risks are covered by accidental damage cover?
Each insurance company generally regulates the exact risks and objects separately. However, sudden and unexpected damages caused by an external force and usually covered. Note: this does not include a what is known as “simple theft”. You must insure this separately.
To avoid being underinsured, you should set the sum insured to the corresponding value of your items to be insured. This usually ranges from 2,000 to over 10,000 francs. However, in the event of damage you will usually have to pay a deductible.
Accidental damage cover covers the costs for repairs in the following examples:
Your mobile phone slips out of your hands and falls on the floor. The display shatters.
You perforate the lampshade of an expensive designer lamp.
You spill coffee on your laptop keyboard.
Your skis are no longer usable after a fall.
Tip: before taking out insurance, clarify what risks you want to insure against.
3. Is a defective item insured at its replacement value or current value?
Items listed in the policy or in the general insurance conditions are usually insured at their replacement value. This means that you will receive enough money to purchase a new item of equivalent value.
Example: replacement value and current value
You bought a new smartphone in November 2021 for just under 1,000 francs. Today, the price is 600 francs. If your smartphone breaks, your insurance company reimburses you the cost of buying the same phone. This means you get 600 francs minus deductible – and not 1,000 francs as it cost in 2021.
If your damaged phone is no longer available on the market, you will instead receive enough to get the next available model.
4. What items are normally insured under accidental damage cover in contents insurance?
Accidental damage cover is an add-on for home contents insurance and covers, among other things, electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets if they break. This includes TVs, for example. The following items are also insured against damage:
electrical household appliances
musical instruments
sports equipment (skis, snowboards etc.)
laptops and PCs
luggage
The list is not exhaustive and varies depending on the insurer. Some providers exclude, among other things, e-bikes or glasses. If this is the case, you have to insure the items separately.
5. What is not covered by accidental damage cover?
Some insurance companies also don’t cover certain objects or damages. This could include:
work equipment
money
military weapons
works of art
normal wear and tear
seized, lost or mislaid items
Gross negligence usually leads to a reduction in cover. However, many insurance companies offer add-ons to help you stay on the safe side. Therefore, always check the general insurance conditions before concluding the contract.
6. How much does accidental damage cover cost?
Your premiums for accidental damage cover can vary based on:
the sum insured
the deductible
the insurance company
your chosen rate for your insurance policy
Compare the offers of different insurance companies to find the right one for you.
7. Is accidental damage cover a good idea?
Whether or not accidental damage cover is worth it depends on your personal and financial needs. Do you have many items that are expensive to repair or replace? If so, the additional cover may be well worth it for you.
This article was first published on 18.12.2020
