Children, accidental damage and home insurance.
Avoid making a home insurance claim in the holidays. Get top tips to keep your property safe this summer with Tesco Home Insurance.
Published: 1 August 2025
Does home insurance cover damage caused by kids?
School’s out for the summer holidays. But it’s not just your kids who get a break - it can be your valuables too.
Claims for accidental damage and theft often spike in the summer months. Whether it’s a cracked tablet, a phone stolen at the park or a football through the TV, it’s a time when accidents happen.
Tesco Home Insurance, like most policies, covers accidental damage caused by children. But there are things you can do to keep your valuables safe - and avoid making a claim during the holidays.
What is accidental damage?
Accidental damage means sudden and unexpected damage to something in your home. Your home insurance policy won't usually cover you for damage that's:
- done on purposedone on purpose
- the result of wear and tearthe result of wear and tear
- caused by poor maintenancecaused by poor maintenance
What’s not covered by your home insurance?
There are some exceptions to what you’re covered for, even if the damage is accidental. For example, DIY accidents aren’t always covered. And most home insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by pets.
You can find out about things your home insurance policy doesn’t cover you for in our companion guide: What’s not covered by your home insurance?
To see exactly what you’re covered for, it’s always best to check your policy documents.
Top tips to avoid accidental damage by kids this summer
Keep your valuables safe and prevent damage to your property, without spoiling their fun.
When you’re at home with the kids
Keep your gadgets safe
- Keep expensive tech - like phones, tablets and laptops - out of reach when not in use.Keep expensive tech - like phones, tablets and laptops - out of reach when not in use.
- Use protective cases and screen protectors to guard against drops and spills.Use protective cases and screen protectors to guard against drops and spills.
Create a safe-play zone
- Set aside areas for play, away from expensive items that are easily broken - like TVs, mirrors and glass furniture.Set aside areas for play, away from expensive items that are easily broken - like TVs, mirrors and glass furniture.
- Use soft furnishings or outdoor spaces for high-energy activities.Use soft furnishings or outdoor spaces for high-energy activities.
Avoid water damage
With the summer sun comes paddling pools and water fights. Make sure:
- electronic devices and important documents are kept well away from splash zones.electronic devices and important documents are kept well away from splash zones.
- taps are turned off after use - insurers often see incidents where taps have been left running, resulting in claims for water damage.taps are turned off after use - insurers often see incidents where taps have been left running, resulting in claims for water damage.
Keep bikes secure
Kids just want to jump on and off their bikes and have fun. But it’s worth reminding them to:
- never leave their bikes unattendednever leave their bikes unattended
- use a padlock to keep their bikes secure when out and aboutuse a padlock to keep their bikes secure when out and about
- lock their bikes away safely after use to avoid them being stolenlock their bikes away safely after use to avoid them being stolen
Take care with DIY
The summer months are a popular time for home improvements. Make sure you:
- store tools safely and keep kids away from work zonesstore tools safely and keep kids away from work zones
- put your tools away when not in use to reduce the risk of them being stolenput your tools away when not in use to reduce the risk of them being stolen
When you’re out and about with the kids
Keep mobile phones secure
- Make sure kids keep their phones zipped up in bags or pockets when not in use.Make sure kids keep their phones zipped up in bags or pockets when not in use.
- Avoid using devices in crowded public places where they’re more likely to get stolen.Avoid using devices in crowded public places where they’re more likely to get stolen.
Keep valuables safe on days out
If you're heading to the beach for a fun day out with the kids, remember:
- don’t leave your valuables unattendeddon’t leave your valuables unattended
- don’t leave valuables in your car - if you have to, make sure they’re well-hidden, ideally in the bootdon’t leave valuables in your car - if you have to, make sure they’re well-hidden, ideally in the boot
Check your home insurance
Make sure your home insurance policy includes cover for:
- accidental damageaccidental damage
and
- personal possessions outside the homepersonal possessions outside the home
Keep a note of your valuables
It’s a good idea to take photos of your most valuable items and keep the receipts for them. It makes claiming easier and faster if something does go wrong.
Help for Home Insurance customers
Got a question about your cover? Our friendly, UK-based customer service team is here to help.
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm.
Important information
Tesco Home Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
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