Even careful drivers can face unexpected dents, scrapes or broken glass. In Ireland, accidental damage cover helps pay for sudden, non-collision damage to your car, giving you clear next steps and cost control.
This guide explains what accidental damage means, what it includes, what it leaves out, and how it fits with your motor insurance.
What is Accidental Damage Coverage?
Accidental damage coverage is an important aspect of motor insurance that protects against financial losses arising from unexpected and non-collision-related damage to your vehicle.
This includes incidents that are not covered under standard collision policies, such as vandalism, theft-related or environmental damage. For Irish motorists, this add-on provides extra financial protection and reassurance, knowing that their vehicle is protected against a broad range of unforeseen dangers.
Defining Accidental Damage in Motor Insurance
Accidental damage refers to physical harm inflicted on your vehicle that is sudden, unexpected, and not a result of a collision with another vehicle. This might include a tree branch falling on your car during a storm, scrapes and dents when parking, or when you accidentally reverse into a pillar.
While traffic accidents have become much rarer these days, accidents like these remain very common. A recent report found that 53% of drivers reported returning to a car with a dent or nick, with supermarket car parks a frequent source. This type of day-to-day damage still affects many drivers.
What is not covered
Claims involving two moving vehicles typically fall under standard accident cover, not accidental damage.
That Sinking Feeling in the Car Park
You return to your car after doing the weekly shop, only to find a long, deep scratch along the driver's side door. The other car is long gone. With the average price of a new car in Ireland now over €40,000, you know the repair bill for this unexpected damage will be costly.
The Importance and Value of Accidental Damage Coverage
The significance of accidental damage coverage cannot be overstated. By the end of 2024, the cost of a new car in Ireland had soared to €41,182, a jump of €857 from the previous year, while prices for used cars are now nearly 80% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Whichever way you look at it, cars are getting much more expensive, which is also pushing up the costs of repairs.
Accidental damage coverage extends beyond mere vehicle repair and helps protect your budget. Without this cover you could face sizeable out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs.
What's Covered by Accidental Damage?
Accidental Damage cover can form part of a comprehensive car insurance policy. It helps with sudden, unexpected events that damage your car, subject to the limits and exclusions in your policy schedule. This cover only applies if Accidental Damage is shown on your Schedule of Insurance.
Unintentional damage
This coverage is specifically designed to address damages to your vehicle that occur accidentally. For example, this can include a shattered window from a stray golf ball or damage from a hit-and-run while parked. It can help get repairs done without leaving you with a large bill.
Personal belongings
Beyond the vehicle itself, accidental damage cover can extend to personal belongings inside the car at the time of the incident, subject to policy limits. See our personal belongings cover for details on what items are protected and any limits that may apply.
Minor and major repairs
Accidental damage cover can address both small and large repairs. From minor dents and scratches to significant bodywork, the aim is to restore your car’s condition within the terms of your policy. Like all policies, certain policy exclusions apply, such as damage from wear and tear, which occurs gradually over time through normal vehicle use.
How to Add Accidental Damage to Your Policy
Car insurance from 123.ie includes accidental damage as part of Comprehensive cover, so there is no extra step to add it.
Accidental damage benefits
Accidental damage insurance offers a more comprehensive level of protection, covering a wide array of incidents beyond the scope of standard policies. This enhanced coverage ensures that policyholders are safeguarded against the unpredictable in ways a standard insurance policy might not
How to File Accidental Damage Claims in Ireland
If your car is damaged, keep everyone safe, note what happened, and contact your insurer as soon as you can. Wait for the go-ahead before fixing anything. The steps below show what to record and who to contact so your claim can be reviewed quickly.
Document the incident
When filing an accidental damage claim, thorough documentation of the incident is crucial. Think about the following:
- Photographs or videos of the damage from various angles and distances
- A detailed account of the incident
- Any relevant third-party information, such as witness statements, can significantly streamline the claims process and improve the likelihood of a successful claim
Contact your insurer
Once you have the information and documents, contact your insurance provider, and they will walk you through the step-by-step claims process. Share information promptly to help your handler assess the claim and keep things moving.
Keep the process moving
Sometimes claims take longer than expected because each case needs checks for accuracy and completeness. From first contact to settlement, stay proactive and respond quickly to requests. Being organised usually means a smoother experience.
Legal basics in Ireland – Compulsory cover and MIBI
Motor insurance is a legal requirement in Ireland. Knowing your basic rights and the framework for motor insurance helps you choose cover that fits your needs and gives you confidence in the event of a claim.
How Much Does Accidental Damage Coverage Cost?
Prices vary from driver to driver. The notes below outline what can affect your premium and practical ways to keep costs down.
Ways to save
The cost of accidental damage cover varies with your vehicle, driving history and level of cover. Annual mileage, security features and your chosen voluntary excess can also influence your premium.
With 123.ie, the cost is included in your comprehensive coverage, so there aren't any further calculations needed on your part.
Choosing Accidental Damage Cover With 123.ie
Some drivers see accidental damage as an extra they can live without. Real life says otherwise. Even the safest drivers face things they cannot control, from runaway trolleys to flying branches.
Accidental damage offers wide protection for everyday mishaps and bigger incidents and helps keep costs in check. 123.ie offers affordable car insurance with comprehensive cover, so you are covered if you come out of a shop to a fresh ding or find storm damage after a windy night.
Life throws bumps and bruises at cars. Smart cover keeps you driving.
