Accidental pet damage and home insurance
Much as we love our pets, they’re sometimes not as well behaved as we’d like. If your pet shreds your sofa or knocks over your favourite vase, will you be covered by home insurance? Here’s what you need to know about pet damage insurance.
Much as we love our pets, they’re sometimes not as well behaved as we’d like. If your pet shreds your sofa or knocks over your favourite vase, will you be covered by home insurance? Here’s what you need to know about pet damage insurance.
60-second summaryWant a quick lowdown on pets and home insurance? Here are the basics:
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Is accidental pet damage covered by my standard home insurance?
You won’t usually come across standard home insurance that covers pet damage.
Accidental damage insurance that might include cover for pet damage doesn’t usually come as standard with your home insurance, but you can add it to your buildings and contents insurance policies for an extra fee. It typically covers repairs or replacement if an item is broken or damaged by accident.
Will accidental damage cover include damage caused by pets?
Some insurance providers will accept certain types of pet damage under their accidental damage cover. For example, if your over-energetic Labrador knocks over a family heirloom, you might be able to make a claim.
Other providers will exclude damage caused by scratching, chewing, tearing, vomiting or fouling, and some will exclude all pet damage.
If you’re considering buying accidental damage insurance as an add-on to your home insurance, read the terms and conditions carefully so you know exactly what’s covered.
The last thing you want is your beloved pet wrecking your home and you not being able to use your home insurance to recover the costs.
Is it possible to get home insurance that covers pet damage?
A limited number of insurance providers include domestic pet damage in their higher-tier packages. If you want to get insurance for pet damage, you’ll probably need to upgrade to a more extensive (and expensive) policy or look for extended accidental damage cover.
You also have the option of ‘self-insurance’ – putting a little money each month into a savings account that pays interest. If your pooch has a naughty streak and decides to chew one of your dining chairs, you’ll hopefully have enough cash saved up to replace or repair it.
Does pet damage insurance cover everything?
Even if you upgrade your home insurance cover to include accidental damage by your pet, there might still be some exclusions.
These might include damage caused by:
- Vomiting, fouling or urinating
- Leaving your pet alone at home
- Puppies and kittens under eight weeks old
- Some breeds of dog, including XL Bullies and Pit Bull Terriers
- Exotic pets like snakes and parrots.
Damage to your garden may also be excluded, as could accidental damage to someone else’s property.
Policies may offer full cover or have a maximum limit you can claim up to for damage caused by pets.
Do you have to inform your home insurance provider that you have pets?
Insurance providers will usually ask if you have a cat or dog. As with any other question on your insurance application, you’ll need to answer truthfully to make sure you have the right cover. When you compare home insurance quotes with us, we’ll ask if you have any cats or dogs living with you.
You should also let your insurance provider know if you install a cat or dog flap, as this might be considered to make your home less secure.
What if my dog damages someone else’s property?
Even if you have home insurance that covers pet damage, you’re still unlikely to be insured if your dog destroys someone else’s property.
If you’re worried that your dog may cause damage or injure someone, you might want to consider pet insurance that includes third-party liability cover. This usually comes as standard with lifetime and maximum benefit pet insurance, which are typically the most expensive policies.
Third-party insurance could cover you for unexpected costs including:
- Damage to someone else’s property or belongings
- Vet bills if your dog attacks another animal
- Legal fees if your dog attacks someone.
Pet insurance for cats doesn’t typically offer third-party insurance for cat owners.
How can I prevent my pet from damaging my home?
Animals can be unpredictable. That’s the main reason why many insurance providers are reluctant to offer cover for damage caused by pets.
Ideally, you should try to prevent your pet from causing damage in the first place. For example:
- Begin basic puppy training and toilet training from an early age.
- Make sure that dogs get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, from a combination of long walks and play time.
- Give teething puppies and kittens safe chew toys to gnaw on.
- Provide a scratching post for cats to sharpen their claws on so they don’t use furniture and curtains.
- Make sure your cat's litter tray is clean and easily accessible to prevent frustration leading to destructive behaviour.
- Invest in a pet gate if you want to keep your pet out of certain rooms or stop them going upstairs.
- Avoid leaving your pet alone for long periods - dogs crave human companionship and can become destructive if they’re bored or anxious.
- Take your pet for regular check-ups by the vet.
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Did you know? According to Compare the Market research, the average claim on home insurance for pet damage is £225 per incident. The most common mishaps include ripped or stained carpets, damage to sofas, skirting boards and doors, and broken ornaments. |
However, pets aren’t the only culprits when it comes to damage in the home. Children can create a fair amount of havoc too. Our survey, Kids vs Pets reveals that drawing or painting on walls is the most common type of damage caused by kids. At least we can’t blame our furry friends for that!
Will my home insurance cover damage by wild animals?
Damage caused by wild animals like foxes and birds, and vermin and insect infestations, are usually excluded from standard home insurance. But getting rid of pests may be covered if you have home emergency cover. Check your policy details to find out exactly what you’re covered for.
How can I find home insurance with pet damage?
When you compare quotes, check the terms and conditions to see which insurance policies include or exclude accidental pet damage. This is typically found in the ‘accidental damage section’ of the policy documents.
Compare home insurance and search for the right insurance for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is there pet damage insurance for tenants?
Pet damage to rented accommodation is unlikely to be covered by standard tenants’ contents insurance. However, a few providers may offer pet damage cover as an add-on for an extra fee.
You may find your landlord insists that you agree to pay for any damage caused to their property by your cat or dog.
Is there pet damage insurance for landlords?
Some specialist providers offer pet damage insurance as an add-on to their landlord insurance policies.
Concerns about damage to their rental properties means that many landlords are reluctant to have tenants with pets. But proposed changes to the Renters’ Rights Bill, due to pass into law by mid-2025, mean that, unless they have reasonable grounds to do so, landlords may no longer be able to refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet.
If the new bill passes, cover for pet damage could prove to be a valuable addition to landlord insurance and a landlord’s peace of mind.
Does home insurance cover dog bites?
Dog bites should be covered by your home insurance if it includes third-party liability cover. This means that if your dog bites someone, your insurance could cover any compensation that you as the owner may be liable for. Most pet insurance policies also include third-party liability cover.
However, there are usually some exclusions, so it may depend on the breed of dog, who is bitten and if your dog was under control at the time. Check your policy documents to be sure.
Is accidental damage cover worth it?
It’s up to you to decide whether accidental damage is worth it. Weigh up the cost of repairing or replacing something you value in your home if it were damaged, against the additional cost to your insurance policy. Then decide whether it’s worth it or not for you.
Is pet damage covered by pet insurance?
Usually not. Pet insurance is more like healthcare insurance for your pet to help you cover vet bills. It won’t normally cover damage to your home. However, it might cover damage to someone else’s home under third-party liability. But you’ll have to check your policy details to be sure.
Anna McEntee – Home, travel and pet insurance expert
Anna’s all about delivering fantastic insurance products at a great price. Value is the most important thing for Anna, as she cuts through the jargon and finds what’s most important and worth your hard-earned money.
Rebecca Goodman – Personal finance expert
Rebecca Goodman is a freelance financial journalist who specialises in insurance, personal finance and consumer affairs. Rebecca regularly writes for national newspapers including The Independent and The Mail on Sunday on a wide-range of financial topics. She covers everything from money-saving tips and holiday advice to investigations into how energy efficient appliances can cut the cost of household bills and the impact donating money can have on those in need. Along with features in national papers, Rebecca also writes news stories for websites including Yourmoney.com and The Money Edit.