What is wear and tear?

Have you seen ‘wear and tear’ in your home insurance paperwork and wondered what it actually means? Simply put, wear and tear is natural damage that happens over time from normal use. So, if your carpet wears thin after years of walking on it, or your garden gate slowly rots away – that’s wear and tear.

Damage caused by wear and tear isn’t usually covered by home insurance. You’ll need to maintain your home (and its contents) to make sure your insurance can be there for you should an accident or emergency happen.

At Swiftcover, we want to help you understand how to prevent wear and tear, and what you can and can’t claim for on your home insurance:

• Does my home insurance cover wear and tear?
• What does ‘good repair’ mean, and why does it matter?
• What can I do about wear and tear in my home?
• Does Swiftcover home insurance cover wear and tear?

Does my home insurance cover wear and tear?"

Most home insurance policies are there to help with sudden accidents - like fires, flooding, or break-ins. Usually, they don’t cover damage caused by normal ageing or everyday use. That means if something wears out naturally over time, it’s probably not covered. And if damage is caused by wear and tear happening elsewhere, that might not be covered either.

It’s a good idea to keep on top of repairs and maintenance around your home. If your property or belongings aren’t in good shape, you might find it tricky to claim for certain damage on your home insurance. In some cases, you might not be able to claim at all.

If you’re with Swiftcover, you can check your policy documents online for full details on what’s covered and what’s not.

What does ‘good repair’ mean, and why does it matter?

‘Good repair’ means keeping your home and belongings in a safe, damage-free condition, ensuring everything is working as it should. This includes fixing things like broken gutters, replacing cracked roof tiles, or getting your vacuum repaired if it breaks.

If you don’t look after your home and belongings properly, your insurance might not pay out if something goes wrong. Damage that’s caused by neglect, or made worse by not fixing things, will make your home insurance cover less effective.

What can I do about wear and tear in my home?

It’s impossible to completely avoid wear and tear – but you can lessen its impact by staying on top of repairs. Keeping up with routine maintenance helps your home stay in great shape and makes claiming on your home insurance easier if something does happen.

Here are 10 simple ways you can keep on top of home maintenance:

1. Clear leaves and debris from gutters.
2. Have your roof checked regularly and replace loose or broken tiles.
3. Look out for cracks on your walls.
4. Fix damp or mould issues quickly.
5. Replace rotting window frames or peeling paint.
6. Take jewellery like necklaces or watches for repair if clasps are loose.
7. Have your boiler serviced yearly.
8. Get appliances like dishwashers or washing machines fixed if they aren’t working properly.
9. Investigate and repair water leaks as soon as you spot them.
10. Trim away loose or dead branches in your garden – or call a professional in to help!

Want more tips? Check out our helpful guides on keeping your home in top condition.

Does Swiftcover home insurance cover wear and tear?

Like most home insurers, Swiftcover is here to help protect you from the unexpected. Heads up — we don’t cover damage caused by normal wear and tear.

Here’s what’s not usually covered:

• Regular wear from everyday use.
• Damage that happens because of neglect or poor repair.
• Mechanical or electrical breakdowns (although you may be covered for repair or replacement by the manufacturer’s warranty).

Here are some common examples of what is and isn’t covered:

1. Example 1: You find mould under your bath that’s come through to the ceiling below. You want to claim for water damage, but it turns out the sealant around the bath had gradually failed over time.

   Is this covered? No. This isn’t covered because the damage was caused by slow deterioration of the sealant, not a sudden leak.

2. Example 2: Your roof gets damaged in a storm. When inspected, it turns out the tiles have slipped because the nails in them have rusted away.

   Is this covered? No. This isn’t covered because the damage happened because of long-term deterioration of the nails. Tiles in good repair wouldn’t have been damaged by the storm.

3. Example 3: You notice water dripping from your ceiling. It’s caused by a pipe leak that was caught early.

   Is this covered? Yes, this is covered because you spotted the leak and reported it quickly.

Always check your policy details online to see exactly what’s covered. You can also check out our Help Hub for our home insurance FAQs. Or, if you prefer, get in touch with our team through your online account to ask a question about your cover.

Keeping your home in good shape isn’t just about peace of mind. It can also help you avoid headaches when you need to make a claim. Regular maintenance, quick repairs, and a bit of attention go a long way.