THE majority of home insurance policies do not include cover for accidental damage such as spills or smashed windows, analysis reveals.
When households take out buildings or contents insurance, many assume that they are also covered for accidental damage.
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Homeowners are unaware they are not protected against mishaps including spilt drinks, getting paint on the carpet or a ball smashing their windowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This is protection against certain mishaps, including spilling drinks or paint on the carpet or accidentally smashing a window with a ball.
But analysis by consumer group Which? of 78 home insurance policies from 35 providers revealed this is not the case.
It found that only 28% of buildings insurance policies and 27% of contents policies included accidental damage cover as standard.
But seven in ten policies offered this cover as an optional extra or provided basic cover, such as for windows or bathroom fixtures, that you can upgrade.
The remainder of insurers don’t offer it at all.
But 31% of consumers who had bought insurance thought their policy would cover them for anything that was not their fault, according to a recent Which? survey of 4,000 people.
A similar proportion believed that if they had cover for possessions, they are protected against any event that involved those possessions – including accidental damage.
But accidental damage is one of the most common reasons that people make a home insurance claim.
This means hundreds of thousands of people could be caught out each year.
In a separate Which? survey of 2,804 people who had tried to make a claim on their policy in the last two years, accidental damage made up around a fifth of cases.
Which? said lack of clarity when people take out insurance is leading to poor outcomes for customers.
Its previous research had found customers do not understand what is included and excluded, and can’t tell the difference between products.
But the definition of what is covered will vary between providers, which is why it’s important to check your policy.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: “When it comes to making a claim on your insurance, it’s sadly all too common to get caught out by the small print.”
Most policies that offer accidental damage cover include issues caused by broken glass and underground pipes.
But in many cases the cover won’t include damage caused by cleaning or by lodgers.
Meanwhile, the insurance doesn’t include damage due to a lack of upkeep or damage caused by pets.
A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers said: “Always check your policy details or speak to your insurer to make sure you have the right level of protection for your needs.”
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
A HOMEOWNER has left people stunned after sharing a video of their disastrous attempt to get a garden shed in their new garden.
After moving in to their new house, they enlisted the help of two friends to try and get the shed over a gate frame and into the back garden.
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Three men were seen attempting to lift a shed over a gate frame and into a back gardenCredit: tiktok/@rearaymondo
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But they could only watch in horror as the shed tipped and fell heavily into next door’s propertyCredit: tiktok/@rearaymondo
The three men decided on a daring attempt to lift the shed – holding it above their heads.
However, in scenes that were predicted by those watching the TikTok video in horror, the shed ended up going a bit too high.
And as it did so, it fell heavily over the fence and into next door’s garden, much to the horror of the men carrying it.
The trio realised in seconds what had happened, and tried to look through the fence to inspect the damage next door.
Read more about Moving house
“Moving day carnage,” Rea captioned the video on her TikTok page.
The gate frame also took part of the brunt of the shed disaster, as a panel was seen slipping down as the structure crashed to the ground.
Commenting on the video, a woman called Leonie wrote: “My partner is the one who got out the car to help, I thought I recognised them!”
“That was never ending well,” another added in the comments section.
“The only 3 people that didn’t see that happening,” a third laughed.
“Great start with the neighbours,” someone else sighed.
I grew up on a council estate so wasn’t prepared for a ‘posh’ house – our neighbours were worse & we had to move AGAIN
“The 2 at the front is at fault, him at the back was doing it properly!” another insisted.
“What the hell? This was hard to watch,” someone else said.
While others imagined what the conversation would be between the homeowners and their new neighbours.
“Can you imagine saying my shed fell in your garden?” one gasped.
“Excuse me Mister, can we have our shed back please?” another joked.
“Knocks on door, ‘hey Mr. I accidentally threw my shed in your yard. Can I go back there and get it?'” a third laughed.
The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble
One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour’s argue
Broken fences – top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it
Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway
Trees – complaints about a neighbour’s tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating
Bin wars – outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours
Nosy Neighbours – some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others
But there were some people in the comments section who wondered what would have happened if there was someone on the other side of the fence.
“Omg what would have happened if a child or elderly person was other side of the fence?” one wrote.
“I would dread to think!”
“Imagine it fell on the neighbours plants or the poor old neighbour sitting in their back garden,” another added.
“Or a baby!”
“What if there was a toddler running around other side?” someone else commented.
HOMEOWNERS could make easy money ahead of the new Premier League season – simply by having a driveway they’re not using.
A team of experts has analysed postcodes near the nation’s major stadiums to determine where householders could earn the most money by renting out their driveways to fans.
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The start of the Premier League season could be lucrative for those with an empty driveway to handCredit: Getty
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Homeowners living in a host of locations could earn some serious money with their drivewayCredit: Getty
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Postcodes in London, Leeds Glasgow and Cardiff could be quids in
According to Leasing Options, residents living near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (N17) enjoy the highest earning potential, with an average daily income of £22.25 throughout the year.
Other lucrative areas include postcodes near Leeds‘ Elland Road Stadium, where homeowners can make £22 a day, and Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge in London, offering £21.50 per day.
For those living near Wembley Stadium, the country’s iconic football venue that hosts the England National Team, cup finals and events like the recent Community Shield, the earning potential is similar at £21 per day.
Likewise, residents near Scotland’s Hampden Park and Wales’ Cardiff City Stadium can expect to earn around £21 a day.
Further down the rankings, homeowners in Liverpool living near Anfield and Everton Stadium can still earn a respectable £13 per day, with prices often more than tripling on matchdays or during special events.
With the Premier League season kicking off this weekend, renting out an unused driveway could be one of the simplest and most effective sidehustles for homeowners looking to make some extra cash.
It isn’t just sporting events either, as some of the highest earners this year so far are music events – including high-profile concerts and festivals.
These events often result in single-day earnings that surpass what would typically be made in a week – making them a particularly lucrative option for those living nearby.
At the top of the list is Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester, where driveway rentals can fetch an average of £165.67 per day during the event.
Following closely is Beyonce’s tour stop at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with homeowners earning an average of £150.26 per day during her shows.
Shocking moment ‘rude’ dad parks car on STRANGER’S driveway to avoid school run chaos – before furious mum confronts him
Similarly, the Wimbledon Championships in London provide an average earning potential of £101.08 per day for residents near the All England Tennis Club.
Other notable events include Guns N’ Roses at Villa Park in Birmingham, where locals can earn £97.40 daily, and Sabrina Carpenter’s concert at Hyde Park in London, which offers average earnings of £94.92.
Stadiums that can provide income opportunities year-round
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London): £22.25/day
Elland Road (Leeds): £22.00/day
Stamford Bridge (London): £21.50/day
Wembley Stadium (London): £21.00/day
Hampden Park (Glasgow): £21.00/day
Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff): £21.00/day
OVO Arena Wembley (London): £21.00/day
Marshall Arena (Milton Keynes): £15.00/day
Anfield (Liverpool): £13.00/day
Everton Stadium (Liverpool): £13.00/day
Leasing Options analysed data from JustPark to identify the UK’s most profitable areas for driveway rentals.
The study focused on over 25 major cities and key 2025 events, mapping more than 750 postcode districts using public data.
Commercial listings were excluded, location accuracy was verified and districts with insufficient data were removed, leaving over 550 reliable areas.
Median weekday and weekend rates were averaged to calculate daily earning potential, while event-day prices were separately assessed for major fixtures.
Commenting on the data, Mike Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Leasing Options, said: “With demand for event parking soaring across the UK, it’s clear that homeowners have a real opportunity to turn their unused driveways into a valuable source of extra income.
“Our data shows that locations near major stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur, Elland Road and Wembley consistently attract high rental prices.
“During big-name events, these figures can more than triple.
“It’s a smart, low-effort way for people to benefit from the buzz around them, especially in areas where parking is at a premium.
“As we look ahead to a packed 2025 event calendar, the potential for driveway rentals is only set to grow.”
How to rent out your driveway
For those interested in turning their unused driveway into a steady source of income, there are a handful of steps you can follow.
Check Eligibility – Review your mortgage or lease agreement to ensure renting out your driveway is allowed, and also check with your local council to confirm you don’t need planning permission.
Choose a Platform – Platforms like JustPark, YourParkingSpace and ParkOnMyDrive make it easy to list your driveway.
You can sign up, create a profile and provide details about your parking space, such as dimensions, location and availability.
Set Your Price – Research current rates in your area using the platform’s tools or by browsing other listings.
You can even adjust the price for special events or peak times to maximise earnings.
Add Photos and a Description – Make sure upload clear photos of your driveway and write a good description, highlighting features such as proximity to venues, security and ease of access.
Manage Bookings – Set your availability for weekdays, weekends or specific dates. Also use the platform’s booking system to approve requests and communicate with renters.
Ensure Insurance – Consider public liability insurance to cover accidents or damages while someone is using your driveway.
Track Your Income – You must keep records of your earnings and remember that if they exceed £1,000 annually, you’ll need to declare them to HMRC under the Property Income Allowance.
This comes as Sun Motors recently looked at the family motors that lose the least value over time – with a luxury compact SUV taking the top spot.
New data from the analysis of 40 million UK car sales over a typical three-year ownership period highlights which family models hold their value best.
Experts from Carmoola have recently released their new Car Depreciation Index, developed with vehicle data specialists Brego, which ranks the top-performing family cars for resale value.
They found that the Porsche Macan is the slowest-depreciating family car sold in the UK – losing just 19.9% of its value over three years.
The Macan is particularly popular in the UK due to its blend of sporty performance, SUV practicality and the prestige of the Porsche badge.
It’s championed for being agile and powerful, with a well-tuned suspension that makes it enjoyable to drive on various UK roads, from city streets to country lanes.
More than 800 homeowners in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other areas affected by January’s wildfires have applied for rebuilding permits, according to a Times analysis of local government permitting data.
Of those, at least 145 have received approval to start construction on major repairs or replacement of their homes in the cities of Los Angeles, Malibu and Pasadena and in Altadena and other unincorporated areas of L.A. County, the analysis found.
At events this week commemorating the fires’ six-month mark, state and local leaders have celebrated the pace of cleanup efforts, touting their completion months ahead of schedule. Nearly 13,000 households were displaced by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which ripped through the communities Jan. 7 and 8.
“Now we turn the page to rebuilding, and we’re doing it with a clear plan, strong partnerships and the urgency this moment demands,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
Weekly data analyzed by The Times show an increasing pace of permit applications submitted to local authorities. Homeowners, architects and contractors working on approved projects praised the process as speedy and efficient. But some residents said that despite official promises of removing barriers and rapid turnarounds, they’ve been mired in delays.
At many sites, construction is already underway. Five years ago, while pregnant with her second child, Alexis Le Guier and her husband, Andrew, moved into a newly constructed five-bedroom home in the Palisades’ Alphabet Streets area. A lifelong Angeleno, Le Guier wanted to take advantage of the neighborhood‘s schools and walkability, as well as live closer to her parents in Brentwood. The day after the fire, they started making calls to rebuild their home.
“The thought of moving was unfathomable,” said Le Guier, 41. “Of course I’m coming back. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
The Le Guiers, who were underinsured, benefited from having recent architectural plans, which saved them significant time and money. They made minor changes before submitting them to the city and received their permit 40 days later in early June. Their foundation was poured last week and lumber was delivered to the site soon after.
“The thought of moving was unfathomable,” said Alexis Le Guier, 41. “Of course I’m coming back. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Many of the homeowners who have secured permits similarly had recent plans to work from or other advantages, such as quick insurance payouts, according to several architects and contractors. State and local officials have attempted to streamline the permitting process, especially for those who want to build homes comparable to the ones destroyed, by waiving some development rules and fees and opening “one-stop” centers that centralize planning and building reviews.
Jason Somers, president of Crest Real Estate, a development firm, said the efforts have helped city plan checkers respond to applications with urgency.
“They are getting us permits quicker than we’ve ever seen before,” Somers said.
Somers’ firm is working on nearly 100 fire rebuilding projects, primarily in Pacific Palisades. Most of its clients, Somers said, aren’t ready to submit plans because they’re designing custom homes different from what they had previously. Somers said the city’s response so far encouraged him, but the test would come as the volume of applications increased.
“We shall see what the workflow looks like when we see 1,000 projects,” he said.
As of July 6, 389 homeowners had submitted applications to rebuild in the Palisades, roughly 8% of the 4,700 residential properties destroyed or majorly damaged by the fire, according to The Times’ analysis.
Property owners often need multiple permits. In addition to one for the main structure, the process might involve permits for demolition, electrical infrastructure, swimming pools, if included, and more. The Times’ analysis counts one application for each address no matter how many supplemental permits may be required. Additionally, the L.A. County data are limited to submissions that already have cleared an initial review by county planners.
Generally, applications at both the city and county level have been rising every week. The week of June 22 had the largest number for both the city and county with 36 and 34 submissions, respectively.
The city has approved nearly a quarter of those it’s received. L.A. County has issued permits for 15% of its 352 applications as of July 6, covering Altadena and unincorporated areas affected by the Palisades fire. In Pasadena, 20 property owners have submitted with two approved. For Malibu, 77 homeowners have submitted applications with none approved.
On average, it’s taken 55 days for the city of L.A. to issue a permit, including time it’s waited for applicants to respond to corrections, The Times’ analysis shows. The county process is slower. Once an application has been cleared by county planners, it’s been another 60 days on average for a building permit to be issued, according to the analysis.
Roberto Covarrubias, who has lived with his family in Altadena for a decade, said county officials haven’t delivered on their promises to make the process as fast as possible. His home was built in 2009 and he went to various offices seeking the original architectural plans — his paper copies burned in the fire — only to be told they didn’t exist. Weeks later, after Covarrubias hired a new architect, the county said it had located electronic plans for his old house.
Covarrubias wants to add a cellar to his new home to house the water heater and other machinery. County officials told him doing so would require additional soil testing, which he estimated would take a month and cost another $7,000. After three weeks of back-and-forth with his architect, Covarrubias said the county relented.
Any delay matters, he said. He wants to get ahead of the rush for workers and materials. And his insurance company will not release his payout until his rebuild permits are approved.
“It’s like a waterfall effect,” said Covarrubias, 50, an IT engineer.
His project remains in the permitting pipeline.
City and county officials have had to work through growing pains as they’ve attempted to implement the flurry of executive orders and programs designed to speed rebuilding.
Property owners had waited weeks in the spring, for instance, for guidelines on accessory dwelling unit construction. Last month, after sustained pressure from homeowners, the county agreed to waive permitting fees and refund those who already have paid. (The city waived its fees in April.) Both the city and the county continue testing ballyhooed artificial intelligence software to offer instant corrections to initial permit applications, with activation scheduled for this month.
The city has no immediate plans to hire additional staff or contractors to review permits because its staff is meeting its benchmarks for reviews, according to Gail Gaddi, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.
“However, we will continue to assess the needs of the department and will consider any adjustments as needed,” Gaddi said.
By contrast, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents areas affected by the Eaton fire, believes the county will need to add to its workforce to meet the demand.
“There needs to be additional staffing whether it’s contractors or permanent staffing,” said Helen Chavez Garcia, a spokesperson for the supervisor.
One of the more promising ways to expedite permitting is through preapproved architectural designs. The idea is that property owners could pick a model home that local governments already have signed off on, meaning the only further review needed was for issues specific to individual sites. The process has been credited for helping rapid recovery in Santa Rosa after the 2017 Tubbs fire.
Here, Somers’ firm is developing a suite of 50 plans called Case Study 2.0, named after the mid-20th century showcase of Southern California architecture. A newly formed San Gabriel Valley nonprofit, the Foothill Catalog Foundation, separately is hoping to design 50 model homes by the end of the year, said Alex Athenson, an architect and co-founder of the initiative. The catalog has had one design, a three-bedroom bungalow called “The Lewis,” approved by L.A. County. Athenson expects to submit nine more by the end of the month.
If a homeowner chooses a preapproved home, Athenson said, the entire permitting process could take two weeks or less.
“It would be incredible if homeowners can have that ease of access to starting construction,” Athenson said.
