60-second summary
A quick breakdown of what coverage your carpets are likely to have under your home insurance policy:
Carpets – even fitted – are generally covered under contents insurance, not buildings insurance.
Extra coverage: Accidental spills may not be covered unless you have additional contents accidental damage cover.
Specialty rugs: Antique or Persian rugs will typically not be covered by standard contents insurance, but will need specialist cover.
Landlord responsibility: Landlords must replace carpets if they pose a health or safety risk, but not for accidental damage or wear and tear.
Furry friends: Pet damage is usually not covered by contents insurance, but some policies offer this at a higher premium.
Do carpets come under my buildings or home contents insurance?
Carpets usually fall under contents insurance. That’s because even though they’re fitted and nearly everybody leaves them behind when they move, in theory they could be rolled up and transported.
Other types of flooring like tiles and wood are covered by your buildings insurance.
Here’s a handy reminder of the differences between buildings and content insurance, which cover different aspects of your home:
Buildings insurance - This typically covers the structure of your home and anything that’s fixed or fitted including walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures like fitted kitchens and bathrooms.
Contents insurance - This tends to cover furniture, household goods and personal belongings within your home.
What types of carpet are covered by contents insurance?
Fitted carpets are typically covered by contents insurance, provided they aren’t fixed with glue or couldn’t in theory be removed if you were to relocate.
Cover can extend to mats and rugs too, although if you own any specialty rugs like antique or Persian, they will likely require specific coverage because of their quality and value.
Are my carpets insured against pet damage?
Most home insurance policies won’t cover your carpet if it’s damaged by a pet scratching, tearing or chewing it – even with accidental damage cover included.
It is possible to find more comprehensive home insurance policies that do cover pet damage, but you’ll typically pay a higher premium for these.
Are my carpets covered if I spill wine on them?
When it comes to spills on your carpet, your standard home contents insurance policy might not automatically cover you. Typically, content insurance covers carpet damage in events like fire, flood, theft and malicious scenarios. Coverage for accidental spills isn’t always included as standard.
Accidental damage cover is often sold as an optional extra and could cover you against a spillage that stains, such as red wine or food.
If you want to cover wood or laminate flooring that’s fixed down, consider adding accidental damage cover to your buildings insurance as well, as these surfaces are not likely to be covered by your contents insurance.
When you get a home insurance quote with Compare the Market, you’ll be shown which policies include accidental damage and which don't. You can usually add on accidental damage cover for an extra fee if you want to protect your carpet from potential mishaps.
Is it worth claiming for carpet damage on my home insurance?
It depends. If the damage is easily treated or the area to replace is small, then claiming might not be worth it.
Remember you’ll have to pay an excess (the amount your policy states you have to pay towards any claim), so it could end up costing almost as much as fixing the damage yourself.
Making a claim could also lead to an increase in your renewal premium and impact any no claims discount you have too.
So although replacing a carpet can be expensive, make sure you weigh up the costs involved before deciding if it’s worth making a claim.
FAQs
Are landlords responsible for carpets?
While landlords have a duty to replace carpets that have become a health hazard (due to mould spores and insect infestations, for example), they’re not responsible for fixing accidental damage.
If, say, a tenant burns a hole in the carpet, the tenant will need to repair it. They can claim on their tenants’ liability insurance if they have it. If not, the landlord has the right to withhold the cost of replacing the carpet from the security deposit when the tenancy ends.
Is carpet damage covered for DIY and building work?
Carpets can be covered for accidental DIY damage, as long as the damage was unforeseen.
But spilling paint while painting without dust sheets wouldn’t be covered, for example, as the potential risk was clear.
If you’re doing major renovations, let your insurance provider know. With tradespeople around, the chance of damage rises and your provider may need to extend your cover or charge a one-off fee that covers the renovation work. There are specialist policies available for larger projects too.
Can I claim for a worn-out carpet?
No, if your carpet is looking a little faded and frayed around areas that get most walked over, don’t expect your insurance provider to fork out for a new one. Home insurance policies won’t cover you for general wear and tear.
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Helen’s our resident home insurance expert, as the former Head of Home Insurance at Compare the Market. She's also experienced with car insurance and pet insurance from her previous roles across commercial, partnerships and as a freelance consultant, working with more than 100 insurers across a variety of insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Rebecca Goodman is a freelance financial journalist who specialises in insurance, personal finance and consumer affairs.
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