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This may be separated into escaping water damage and flood damage. If the water is coming from a leaking pipe (or even something like a fish tank),then that’s escaped water, this might cause damage to walls and floors, or other possessions. Your insurance pay-out is likely not going to include the damaged pipe or item itself, but only the damage caused directly by the escaped water. The damage which caused the leak is covered by a separate clause.

Flood damage covers most damage caused by the overflow of bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers or canals. Is also refers to damage caused by a downpour that can’t be fully absorbed and sits at ground level. Flooding damage usually has stipulations in your insurance policy that you should familiarise yourself with. This may include issues like subsidence or land slip.

In the event that there is a fire in your home, both the structure and contents are covered for fire damage. Often this will include smoke damage. However there are stipulations to this cover too, depending on your insurance details you may not be covered for fire damage if your home was built before a cartain year and has not been subsequently rewired within a specified time period. This is to do with old wiring being an indicator of significantly higher fire risk.

Other stipulations may apply to fire damage so make sure to read your insurance policy, but as a general rule of thumb, as long as there are no clear and preventable fire hazards you should be able to get a reasonable quote and be covered. Insurance premiums are all about the risks, so whether you’re buying  a new home or reinsuring do your due diligence to  save money.

Accidental damage is a broad stroke term which covers any sudden, unexpected and visible damage which is unintentional. If for example you had a tradesman working in your home and they caused damage to your wall this would be classified as accidental damage under your insurance policy. As would a window broken by a ball, or any other similar event.

Since this is a such a catch all term it is hard to know exactly what is covered without reading your insurance policy. Like with other forms of cover  the rule of thumb is if something poses a clear preventable risk, then it can lead to higher premiums or stipulations. Large trees overhanding the property, for example, may not be covered in the event of it falling. If you are in doubt about what is covered, you should get in contact with your insurer to seek clarification.