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Does Your Home Insurance Cover Accidental TV Damage?
Damaging your television, whether it's a brand-new OLED or an expensive home cinema screen, can be incredibly frustrating and costly. rivr's high value contents insurance protects premium electronics from unexpected mishaps, helping you avoid large out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand exactly how to make sure your TV is protected and if your existing home insurance covers accidental damage.
What is accidental damage?
It refers to sudden, unintentional damage caused by external events, rather than deliberate actions or gradual wear and tear. It’s different from standard risks such as theft, storms, fire, or flooding, which most home insurance policies automatically include.
With so many homes investing in high-end screens, understanding your TV insurance accidental damage options is key to protecting what matters most. This is vital, as this cover isn't always included automatically in standard home insurance policies.
What does it cover?
Essentially, it is damage you did not expect or intend. It must be sudden and caused by an external force, not the result of gradual wear or neglect. Insurers may exclude cosmetic issues like light scratches unless they stop the TV from functioning.
Common examples include:
- The screen cracking after being knocked over by a child or pet
- Spilling a drink onto the TV or remote
- A games console controller or toy hitting the screen during use
- The TV falling while being moved or installed
- Items falling from a shelf onto the TV
- The screen being damaged while cleaning or mounting
- Burn marks from overheating due to covered vents (if not caused by misuse)
- Cracks or faults caused during temporary relocation (if in-scope under the policy)
Does standard home insurance cover your TV?
Unfortunately, most standard UK home insurance does not include accidental TV damage by default; it's usually an optional add-on available for an extra cost.
Here’s a quick summary:
- Standard home insurance usually covers theft, fire, flooding, and vandalism.
- Accidental damage cover must typically be added separately to protect TVs from incidents like dropping, spilling, or impact damage.
Always check your policy carefully to determine if your TV is fully protected.
Is a cracked TV screen covered under home insurance?
A cracked TV screen will only be covered if your home insurance includes accidental damage cover. Without this add-on, you'll have to pay the repair or replacement costs yourself.
If your screen is cracked and your policy covers it, here's what to do:
- Check your policy terms to confirm you're covered.
- Contact your insurance provider promptly.
- Follow their claims process closely and provide proof of purchase if possible.
High-value and expensive TVs: Why they need special consideration
UK households are spending more on premium televisions, including large OLED screens, 8K models, and bespoke home cinema setups. These high-end systems come with higher repair and replacement costs. This is especially true when connected to a home network of smart speakers, lighting systems, or streaming devices, all of which may be affected if the display fails. Specialist repairs often involve expensive labour, particularly for OLED or wall-mounted units.
Special considerations for premium TVs include:
- Higher replacement costs (often several thousand pounds).
- More expensive and specialist repairs.
- Greater financial risk if the TV isn’t fully insured (underinsurance).
The benefits of contents insurance for premium TVs
When you have invested heavily in your TV, standard policies may not suffice. Instead, consider specialised content policies designed for high-value items, like those offered by rivr:
A contents insurance policy:
- Covers the actual replacement cost.
- Protects from unexpected damage and electrical breakdown.
- Has a dedicated claims line for quick, hassle-free service.
- Contains clear terms about proof of purchase and straightforward claims procedures.
- Gives the option to include multiple gadgets and appliances under one policy.
Separate television insurance policies exist, but they often cost more than comprehensive contents cover that includes multiple items.
TV protection checklist
Note: If you have more than one premium TV in your home, ensure all are covered under one policy.
What should I do if my TV becomes damaged?
- Review your policy immediately: Check the wording to confirm that the type of damage is included. Look for any waiting periods, exclusions, or specific conditions that apply before making a claim.
- Contact your insurer promptly: Notify your provider as soon as possible. Many insurers expect prompt reporting, and delays could limit your entitlement or slow the assessment process.
- Provide documentation: Give proof of purchase and details of the incident. Include the exact TV make and model number in your claim, as this helps insurers verify the value and arrange accurate replacements.
- Follow the insurer’s instructions: They might require an inspection, report, or photographic evidence. Cooperate fully to avoid any delays in decision-making.
Act quickly. Delaying any of these steps may affect the outcome of your claim or reduce your chance of full reimbursement.
Should I consider appliance insurance or separate TV cover?
Some people opt for separate insurance, like appliance insurance, to specifically protect items like TVs. However, comprehensive contents insurance usually provides broader protection:
- Covers multiple gadgets and appliances under one policy.
- Often more cost-effective compared to individual appliance policies. Offers clearer, simpler claims processes.
Specialised insurance providers, such as rivr, cover multiple gadgets and high-value items comprehensively, saving you money and hassle. Many of our customers choose to cover other appliances like sound systems or gaming consoles alongside their TVs.
Can you claim multiple times?
Yes, but frequent claims could affect future premiums or renewal terms. Insurance providers may review your claims history and increase prices if multiple claims are made.
If your household includes children or pets, making unforeseen damage more likely, ensure your policy has clear terms for multiple claims.
Conclusion
Protecting your television means thoroughly understanding your home insurance coverage. Most standard contents policies in the UK don't include accidental damage cover automatically. Ensuring your TV is properly insured can save significant money, stress, and inconvenience.
Resources
- For impartial guidance on home insurance policies, including accidental damage, visit the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
- If you're unhappy with the outcome of a claim, you can escalate the issue to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which provides impartial dispute resolution.
rivr: contents cover for those with more to protect
rivr is a digital-first, high-value home insurance provider built around your needs. Our tailored contents cover is designed for modern homes with premium appliances and electronics. From unexpected damage to loss and theft, our policies keep your most valuable items protected with flexible options, expert support and fast claims handling.
Read more
Frequently asked questions
No. It does not rectify the legal defect. It provides financial protection should a covered issue arise.
Insurers often pay “new-for-old”, but they’ll base the payout on the model’s current equivalent price (even if it was purchased as part of a deal or at a discounted rate).
That means your payout may not match the cost of the original product if it has since been discontinued or replaced. Therefore, document the spec and retain any reconditioning certificate.
The subject of whether matching components are replaced often depends on the “pairs and sets” clause in your policy. Some policies apply this rule, meaning damage to one component could justify replacing the matching kit, but only if your wording explicitly allows it.
Software faults and app losses tend to fall under manufacturer support, not contents insurance, unless physical damage triggered the failure. Issues related to lost app data or digital access tied to your streaming account are not usually covered.
Cover usually only applies at your insured address unless you’ve added “items away from home” or “in transit” protection, so check that extension before you book the van.
It can do if the bracket wasn’t fitted to the manufacturer’s specs or by a competent person, so keep the installation receipt and photos of the setup.
