Home insurance: Am I covered for cleaner's mistakes?

A reader from Woking wants to know if accidents caused by her cleaner are covered by her home insurance policy.

Our team of experts at insurance company LV= offers a helping hand.

Sarah from Woking asks:

I have a cleaner in to help round the house when I am at work. She is trustworthy, so I'm not worried about her stealing, but if she breaks something will my home insurance cover it?

The team at LV= responds:

To ensure you are covered you should take out the accidental damage option on your home insurance policy.

If you have this, anything that is broken by anyone you have let into the property, including your cleaner, is covered. This includes everything from you accidentally dropping a pot of paint on your sofa whilst undertaking some DIY or your cleaner dropping a prize ornament whilst she is dusting.

Accidental damage doesn’t generally come as standard on home insurance policies, rather it is an optional add on. It's available from the vast majority of insurers for a small additional premium.

If you have a question for LV=, go to the myfinances.co.uk Ask the Expert section.

For more information on the issues discussed here, go to LV=.

Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the Association of British Insurers (ABI).