Accidental damage cover can protect the structure of your home and your belongings against sudden, unintentional damage, such as putting a nail through a pipe or spilling paint on a carpet. It may be included as standard or offered as an optional extra, and buildings and contents sections can have different cover limits and exclusions. Policies commonly exclude wear and tear, poor maintenance and deliberate damage, while an excess may apply to each claim. Check the policy wording carefully with an FCA-authorised insurer if you are unsure what is covered.