Building Insurance- someone drives car into house - is that standard or accidental damage cover?

Lbluesky on 21/07/2014 - 18:29
Last edited 21/07/2014 - 22:40

I am hunting for building insurance only (not contents). But a bit confused about the basic/standard cover, and the additional "accidental damage" cover.

Generally speaking, does basic/standard cover only cover acts of God?
And not accidental or deliberate acts of humans, e.g :
(i) Someone drives a car into the front of the house by accident (e.g. drunk)
(ii)Someone drives a car into the front of the house on purpose (e.g. just plain mischief)

And if so, will "accidental damage" insurance cover only (i), since (ii) is a deliberate act, albeit by hooligans?

Any help appreciated, many thanks in advance.

Edit: I am trying to understand the general precept here, and not the specifics from any particular insurer. That is, does the word "accidental" in the context of "accidental damage" cover coincide with the layman's understanding of accidental, i.e. done with no real intentions, yet must be an act by a human being. (Sure, within a common framework, each insurer may have slightly varying interpretations.)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pjetson on 21/07/2014 - 19:50
    +1

    What is covered is detailed in the policy documents - there is no "generic" answer. Any insurer will be able to send you the documents, or you might find them on the insurer's web site.

    • bluesky on 21/07/2014 - 20:10

      Thanks pjetson. I have done some reading and looked at some examples (Haven't found the specific match for the scenarios I asked about though).

      I have edited my question above, as I am trying to understand the general precept - Does the word "accidental" in the context of accidental damages cover coincide with the layman's understanding of accidental.

      If so, basic cover will exclude many types of damages.

  • pjetson on 21/07/2014 - 20:27
    +1

    Only the policy document for the specific policy you're asking about can give you the answers to the questions you're asking.

    • bluesky on 21/07/2014 - 20:28

      Thanks.

  • bluesky on 24/07/2014 - 16:24

    I have gotten a bit more info, and would like to share it.

    "Accidental" in accidental damage cover does not necessarily coincide with the usual understanding of what is accidental. I was told by an RACV customer service person that the scenarios I listed above fall under "impact damage" - which are covered by the basic insurance. Even though it may be an accident when someone drives into the house.

    Note, this is from RACV. As pjetson said, best to seek clarification from the specific insurer concerned.

  • Geewhizz on 27/07/2014 - 06:55
    +1

    Accidental damage generally applies to damage you do yourself, or someone that lives/ visits there, a claim for whose damage might otherwise be excluded - you're mowing the lawn and a stone is thrown up and breaks a window, or you're cutting down a tree and it falls on the roof (examples only.)

    Some random person driving into your house and causing damage should be covered under your regular policy. It certainly wouldn't be viewed as an act of God though.

    • bluesky on 27/07/2014 - 17:53

      Thanks Geewhizz, appreciate the additional info.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join