Easter holidays: parents warned to check home insurance cover

Parents planning a cracking good time with their kids this Easter are being warned to check their home insurance cover, as data shows a surge in claims during school holidays.

Analysis of internal claims data from Tesco Bank found a 41% increase year-on-year in home insurance claims during the school spring break – from 166 in 2022 to 234 in 2023. Accidental damage was the most common type of claim, but before you blame the Easter bunny for any mishaps, the insurer found similar rises during other school holidays.

For peace of mind that your home is protected during the holidays, Which? outlines what cover you need should things get broken while hunting for those eggs.

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Surge in claims during school holidays

Accidents can and – as parents will confirm – do happen when you have children. It's no surprise therefore that claims for damaged or broken items surge during periods when little ones are spending more time at home. Whether it’s chocolate getting into places it shouldn’t, drawing on walls, spillages on carpets or the furniture, or playing sports indoors.

While Tesco Bank data showed the Easter school holidays had the most claims last year, autumn half term saw the second biggest increase in claims – up 25% year-on-year. That was followed by February half term, which was up 18% year-on-year. 

Most claims during term breaks – 149 in 2023 – were for accidental damage, followed by accidental loss and theft.

What damage will home insurance cover?

If you're worried about your child breaking more than chocolate eggs this Easter, double check your existing home insurance.

Unfortunately, most policies don't include accidental damage cover as standard. The latest Which? analysis found only 22 of the 78 policies we looked at included it as standard for buildings and 23 for contents. 

If that's the case, you'll need buy it as an optional extra and choose to have it added to your contents insurance to cover possessions, your buildings insurance or both. 

It will protect you against sudden, unexpected damage to your home that happens by mistake – everything from spilling red wine on your sofa to a child knocking over an delicate ornament.

• Find out more: best home insurance

Is it worth it?

That will depend on your circumstances but if you're particularly clumsy or have boisterous children, it could save you money. 

Confused.com data covering August 2022 to July 2023 shows that over 1 million people bought accidental damage cover for buildings and contents insurance. And during those 12 months, 23% of people claimed for accidental loss or damage to their items while they were at home.

The comparison site found buildings insurance claims for accidental loss or damage at home added up to £4,136 over the course of the year, with accidental damage claims for contents totalling £1,171.

Remember, however, that claiming could affect your no-claims discount when you come to renew your policy.

• Find out more: what you need to know about no-claims discounts

Watch out for exclusions

Not everything will be included in accidental damage cover, so make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully. Here are some of the most common mishaps you won't be able to make a claim for:

• Wear and tear: Unfortunately, insurers won't pay out for damage caused by general wear and tear. For buildings, that includes things like fungus and weather-related structural changes; for contents, mechanical faults on electrical goods.
• Pets: Furry friends can make a mess too, but many accidental damage policies won't allow you to claim for anything caused by animals. The latest Which? analysis found only 37% of home insurance policies cover domestic damage caused by pets. Damage caused by pests and vermin are also usually excluded.
• DIY: If you're doing a bit of home improvement, such as putting up shelves or painting, and you damage something in the process, you should be covered. But if you're trying to fix a problem you're not qualified to do, such as plumbing or electrics, then you won't be able to make a claim.
• Intentional damage: The clue is in the name – if the damage was done on purpose, rather than by accident, then you won't be able to claim.
• Gadgets: Electricals that are easily carried around, such as laptops and mobile phones, won't usually be covered for accidental damage. Instead, think about taking out a standalone gadget insurance policy or itemising them on your home insurance contents policy.

What to do if you need to claim

Get in touch with your home insurance provider as soon as possible to make a claim for accidental damage. Many insurers operate 24-hour helplines and will be able to advise you on the next steps, and what will happen with your claim as it goes forward. 

To speed up the process, document all damaged items, take photos and dig out any receipts. The more evidence you have to support your claim, the better. Also, don’t throw away any damaged items as your insurer may want to assess them.

• Find out more: making a home insurance claim

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