Does Home Insurance Cover DIY Disasters?

Easter’s traditions may revolve around religion, the start of spring and chocolate eggs but in recent times they have become known for something else too – DIY.

According to Yorkshire Bank, 71 per cent of Brits did a spot of DIY over the long weekend with nearly two thirds of homeowners preferring to tackle a job themselves than rely on qualified tradesmen. While doing DIY can be both a money-saving and money-making task – assuming your improvements add to the value of your property – it can also go horribly wrong, which is why home insurance is so important.

Research from AXA shows that DIY accidents peak at this time of year. Paint spillages top the list of potential mishaps for 40 per cent of those surveyed, with the average cost of accidents at around £900. A further 28 per cent have created accidental holes in the wall and ceilings while 23 per cent have even broken furniture. A further one in five has caused water damage and 14 per cent have even caused a home fire.

Some particularly unfortunate DIY enthusiasts have been forced to make claims on their home insurance in the region of £10,000. However, they are still comparatively lucky – because many homeowners simply don’t have suitable home insurance in place.

What home insurance cover do you need for DIY mishaps?

Property owners should check their policies for accidental damage before beginning any home projects. Look at what is covered under the terms of accidental damage – are you covered for paint spills, misuse of tools, etc? Also look at the items that are protected as many home insurance policies only offer limited accidental damage cover for items such as TVs, home computers and stereo systems. You may need to extend your accidental damage cover to protect the remaining contents in your home such as carpets, furniture and more.

Check out the policy limits too – how much are you covered for? Several home insurance policies offer unlimited accidental damage protection, but others will cap the amount on which you can make a claim.

Another option worth looking for on a home insurance policy is home emergency cover. With most providers this entitles you to a callout from a professional within 24hrs of an accident taking place to repair any damage. It’s worth making sure that your insurer has a 24hr emergency helpline too, so you can contact it as soon as an accident occurs.

You could risk invalidating a claim if you do not inform your provider before carrying out any major work, such as home renovations. Call the provider directly and ensure your project is protected. Even if you decide to forego the DIY and hire a professional you should check to ensure you have liability cover in case anyone is injured in your home and that you have protection for any tools or business equipment they may use within your property.

How can you avoid a home insurance claim for DIY?

While home insurance certainly provides a welcome safety net in case a mishap occurs, you should take all the steps possible to ensure that an accident never takes place.

Think about whether you truly have the right skills for the job before carrying it out and check with your local council if you think you may need a permit for a large job.

Before beginning a DIY project ensure that you turn off your electric and water at the mains to cut down the risk of any damage from water or fire. Move furniture out of the way and cover or protect any items that can’t be moved. It’s worth laying down dust sheets over your carpets for example, so any paint spillages won’t cause too much damage.

When using power tools make sure you have read the instructions thoroughly first and take extra care – most tools come with protection guards but it can still be worthwhile putting on safety glasses, for example. Use protective clothing wherever possible and if you’re working with heights, ensure that the ladder and scaffolding you use is secure.

If a home insurance claim is necessary phone your insurer as soon as possible to rectify the situation. Check before throwing away any damaged items as there may be professionals in the area that can help you get back on track. Ideally you should keep hold of receipts and take photographs of any expensive items too, just to speed up the claims process.

Remember you won’t be able to make a claim unless you have suitable protection in place. Use a comparison website to find a home insurancepolicy that’s right for you.