Access cover is a type of insurance that pays for damage to your property when someone else causes it, but only if they have legal responsibility for that damage
Access cover protects you against costs when a third party — a visitor, contractor, delivery driver, or someone else on your property — damages your home or belongings. The insurance pays for repairs or replacement, but only when the other person is legally liable, meaning they were at fault and you can prove it. This is different from your standard home insurance, which covers damage you cause yourself or damage from weather and theft.
Access cover is optional and costs extra on top of your base home insurance policy. It fills a gap: your regular policy typically won't pay if someone else damages your property, because your insurer expects you to pursue the responsible party directly. Access cover removes that burden by paying first and handling the claim against the other person themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Access cover pays for damage caused by third parties like contractors, visitors, or delivery people, but only when they are legally at fault.
- You need to prove the other person caused the damage and was responsible for it before your insurer will pay.
- Access cover is an optional add-on to your home insurance policy and increases your premium.
- Common claims include damage from plumbers, electricians, removalists, or guests, as long as negligence or fault can be established.
- Your policy will set a maximum amount the insurer will pay per claim, so check your documents to know your limit.
When access cover actually pays out
Access cover pays when three things are true: someone else caused the damage, they were legally responsible for it, and you can show proof of both. A plumber who floods your kitchen while installing a new tap is liable. A delivery driver who drops a package and breaks your window is liable. A guest who spills wine on your carpet is usually not liable, because accidents in someone else's home are generally considered the homeowner's responsibility — but your policy documents will spell out what counts.
The key word is negligence. The other person has to have done something wrong — failed to take reasonable care, ignored safety rules, or acted recklessly. If a contractor follows proper procedure and something still goes wrong, they may not be liable, and your access cover won't pay. You will need to provide evidence: photos, repair quotes, witness statements, or a police report if applicable.
Your insurer will investigate the claim and decide whether the other party was at fault. If they agree, they pay for repairs up to your policy limit. If they disagree, you don't get paid. This is why documentation matters: take photos when ready, get the other person's details and insurance information, and keep all receipts and repair estimates.
What access cover does not include
Access cover does not pay for damage you cause yourself, damage from weather (storms, flooding, hail), theft, or wear and tear. It also does not cover damage to items that belong to the third party — if a guest's coat gets damaged in your home, that is their problem, not yours. Some policies exclude certain types of damage, like damage to gardens or outdoor structures, so read your policy wording carefully.
Access cover also does not pay if you cannot prove fault. If you slip on your own wet floor and break something, access cover will not help. If a guest damages something but you have no way to prove they did it, you cannot claim. The burden is on you to establish that the other person was responsible.
Most policies have an excess — the amount you pay toward each claim before the insurer pays the rest. Access cover often has a higher excess than your standard home insurance, sometimes £250 to £500 or more. Check your policy documents to know what you will pay out of pocket if you need to claim.
How to add access cover to your home insurance
Access cover is offered by most home insurance providers as an optional add-on when you buy or renew your policy. When you get a quote online or over the phone, you will usually see a list of optional extras — accidental damage, home emergency cover, and access cover among them. You can choose to add it or leave it out. Adding it will increase your annual premium by a small amount, usually £20 to £50 depending on your insurer and the level of cover you choose.
If you already have home insurance and want to add access cover, contact your insurer directly. You can usually do this online, by phone, or through your policy documents. They will tell you the extra cost and update your policy. Some insurers allow you to add it mid-year; others only at renewal. Ask whether adding it now will change your renewal date or premium.
When you buy access cover, your insurer will give you a policy document that explains exactly what is and is not covered, what your excess is, and how to make a claim. Read this carefully. Different insurers define access cover slightly differently, and some offer higher limits or lower excesses than others. Compare a few quotes before you decide.
How to make an access cover claim
If someone else damages your property, act quickly. First, take photos of the damage from multiple angles. Get the other person's name, address, phone number, and insurance details if they have them. If there are witnesses, get their contact information too. Write down what happened, when it happened, and exactly what was damaged. Do not admit fault or agree to anything with the other person.
Contact your home insurer as soon as possible — most policies require you to report a claim within a set time frame, often 30 days. Tell them you want to claim under your access cover. They will send you a claim form to fill out. On this form, you will describe the damage, provide the other person's details, and explain why they were at fault. Attach your photos, repair quotes, and any other evidence.
Your insurer will then investigate. They may contact the other person's insurer, ask for more information from you, or send a surveyor to inspect the damage. This process usually takes two to four weeks. Once they decide whether to pay, they will tell you in writing. If they approve the claim, they will either pay you directly or pay the repair company you have chosen, depending on your policy.
Access cover versus pursuing the other person yourself
Without access cover, if someone damages your property, you have to pursue them for compensation yourself. This means sending them a letter demanding payment, negotiating with them or their insurer, and potentially taking them to small claims court if they refuse to pay. This process is slow, stressful, and often unsuccessful — many people cannot or will not pay, and pursuing them costs time and money.
With access cover, your insurer handles all of this. They investigate, negotiate, and pursue the other person on your behalf. You get paid quickly (usually within weeks), and the insurer absorbs the cost of chasing the claim. This is why access cover is worth the extra premium for many people, especially if you have contractors in your home regularly or live in a busy area where accidents are more likely.
The trade-off is that you pay a higher excess on access cover claims than on other claims, and you have to prove fault. If you cannot prove the other person was responsible, you will not be paid. So access cover is most useful if you have a clear case of negligence and want to avoid the hassle of pursuing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does access cover pay if a guest accidentally breaks something in my home?
It depends on your policy and the circumstances. If a guest was negligent — for example, they ignored a warning not to touch something fragile and broke it anyway — you may be able to claim. But if it was a genuine accident with no fault on their part, most policies will not pay. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer before you invite people over.
Will my premium go up if I make an access cover claim?
It may, depending on your insurer. Some insurers treat access cover claims the same as other claims and may increase your premium at renewal if you claim. Others do not count access cover claims against you. Ask your insurer about their claims history policy before you buy access cover, so you know what to expect.
What is the difference between access cover and accidental damage cover?
Accidental damage cover pays for damage you cause yourself — you knock over a lamp and break it, you spill something on the carpet. Access cover pays for damage someone else causes. Some policies bundle them together; others sell them separately. You can buy one, the other, or both.
Can I claim under access cover if the other person does not have insurance?
Yes. Access cover protects you regardless of whether the other person is insured. Your insurer will still investigate and decide whether the other person was at fault. If they were, your insurer will pay, and then they may pursue the other person directly to recover the cost. This is one of the main reasons to buy access cover — it protects you even when the other person cannot pay.
How much does access cover cost?
Access cover typically adds £20 to £50 per year to your home insurance premium, though this varies by insurer, your location, and the level of cover you choose. Some insurers charge more for higher limits or lower excesses. Get quotes from several insurers to compare prices before you decide.