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Patrick Ginnelly & Co. Property Claims Assessors Patrick Ginnelly & Co. Property Claims Assessors

Accidental Damage Claims

A pane of glass shattered from one point of impact
Illustrative images only.

Accidents happen. A vehicle hits a wall, a branch comes through a window, or a ceiling is damaged by mistake. If you are weighing up an accidental damage insurance claim, this page explains what it can involve. It also helps if you are not sure which type of claim yours is.

Common causes and signs

A stone garden wall partly collapsed, with rubble on the lawn beside a tree with white bark
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Accidental damage means sudden and unexpected damage that you did not cause on purpose. Examples include:

  • A vehicle hitting a wall, gate, fence or the side of a building.
  • A tree limb or other object falling on a building or through a window.
  • Broken glass, such as a window, a patio door or a glass panel.
  • A foot or a ladder through a ceiling.
  • Damage to a floor, a fixture or a fitting during building work or while moving furniture.

What the claim can cover?

Depending on your policy, a claim can include repair of the structure and replacement of the damaged parts. It can include contents too. Many policies cover accidental damage only if you have added it as an optional extra. Some policies cover only certain items, such as glass or fixed fittings. Read the wording on accidental damage and on any limit that applies.

If the damage came from another cause, such as a storm, a fire or water, it may fall under a different part of the policy. See the related claims below.

What to do first?

Two hands hold a phone and take a photo of a tree that fell on a roof
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  • Make the area safe. Keep people away from broken glass and unsafe structures.
  • Take photographs before any clean-up. Note the date, the time and what happened.
  • If a vehicle caused the damage, take down the driver’s details and report it to the Gardaí if needed.
  • Make temporary repairs to stop further damage, such as covering a broken window. Keep the receipts.
  • Keep the damaged parts until your insurer has seen them.
  • Read your policy for notice conditions. Tell your insurer as soon as you can, and within any time limit in your policy.

Where claims get difficult

Accidental damage claims can raise these questions:

  • Whether the policy includes accidental damage at all.
  • Whether the damage was sudden, or built up over time.
  • Whether wear and tear or poor workmanship was the real cause.
  • Whether the excess is larger than the cost of the repair.

Some small claims may not be worth making, because of the excess or the effect on your premium. Talk to us before you decide. We cannot promise the outcome of any claim.

How we help

As Loss Assessors, we act for you. We read your policy with you and tell you which section applies. If you go ahead, we report the claim to your insurer and meet the loss adjuster at your property. We put together the detailed costs of the repairs. We deal with your insurer until the claim is settled.

Not sure what type of claim you have? Contact us.