Q I have just got a new labrador puppy and he has already succeeded in chewing through two pairs of slippers. Worse though, he has also soiled a rug and ruined the upholstery on my sofa. Can I claim on my home insurance for the damage?
A How lovely to get a new puppy and my favourite breed! But, unfortunately, pets, especially puppies, can be destructive. According to a recent survey by personal loan firm Novuna Personal Finance, three-quarters of pet owners have experienced pet-related damage at home, leading to an eye- watering repair bill of £627 million. It revealed dogs generate over £348 million in bills, while cats’ damage costs some £279 million. Half of pet owners suffered from soiled carpets and flooring damage, while chewed furniture was a headache encountered by a third.
Sadly, though, despite these costs, the answer to your question is no, you are unlikely to be covered. Standard home insurance excludes damage by pets. If you bought accidental damage as an extra add on then you may have cover, but it depends on your policy as many still exclude pets. For example Aviva specifically excludes: “Damage caused by chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling by domestic animals”, regardless of whether you buy just its standard cover or add accidental damage. Similarly Direct Line also excludes: “Tearing, scratching, chewing, vomiting, fouling, urinating or denting by any domestic animal,” on all its cover. However, accidental damage should cover you if your dog’s tail catches a wine glass for example and spills wine all over the sofa or carpet or he breaks a vase with these types of firms.
