Kitchens - DIY fans urged to get accidental damage cover

07/12/2007

DIY enthusiasts should ensure they have accidental damage cover before undertaking home improvements, an expert has warned.

According to Steve Foulsham of the British Insurance Brokers' Association, standard home insurance does not always cover you for DIY dramas.

However, simply opting for a policy that includes accidental damage cover will provide home improvers with the security to pursue their passion with impunity, he said.

"Most DIY disasters should be covered, as long as you have the right cover on your household policy. In the main, that would be accidental damage cover," he explained.

"Accidental damage on both buildings and contents is usually an optional extra. So it's really a question of ensuring that you have accidental damage cover, if you want those sorts of claims to be paid."

News of Mr Foulsham's comments comes as research from insurance provider Zurich, cited by the BBC, showed one in five people who tried to cut corners by doing home renovations themselves ended up paying a professional to fix their mistakes.

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