NRMA Insurance has reported a seasonal increase in accidental damage claims in Australian homes, with summer cricket and holiday activity coinciding with higher loss volumes. The insurer said that in 2025 so far, 10% of its total accidental damage claims have involved balls striking property, reflecting incidents from informal games played inside homes and in backyards as families follow the cricket season.
NRMA Insurance, which has a sponsorship arrangement with Cricket Australia, said recent data shows ball-related incidents continue to feature in home and contents claims when living areas are used as play spaces. NRMA Insurance executive general manager claims Luke Gallagher said many policyholders still misjudge the financial impact of routine household mishaps. “For 100 years, NRMA Insurance has been protecting Australians from unintentional mishaps. Most people assume these accidents are small and easy to brush off, but these simple accidents can turn into a much bigger and more expensive problem,” Gallagher said. He said the pattern is pronounced over the summer holiday period. “We saw last year accidental damage claims peaking in January, so now is a great time to remind households to check what their policies cover before a knock doesn’t turn into a much bigger blow to your wallet,” he said.
NRMA Insurance data indicates a gap between consumer expectations and actual claim outcomes. Many households expect accidental damage to lead to minor repair bills. In contrast, the insurer reported that the average accidental damage claim last year was $2,776.44, with more than five claims exceeding $100,000.
January 2025 has so far recorded the highest volume of accidental damage claims for the year. Aside from sports-related losses, common causes include impact damage such as cracks and breaks, dropped technology devices like laptops and smartphones, and damage from liquid spills.
Previous data from Allianz Australia indicates that adults, as well as children, are responsible for a substantial share of accidental damage incidents in the home. Allianz Home Insurance claims data from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2022, show almost 30,000 accidental breakage or damage claims across Australian households during the period. The insurer has identified recurring scenarios such as televisions damaged while furniture is being moved, dropped laptops and tablets, holes in walls during moves, and stains from red wine spills. Accidental damage ranks among the top three Allianz Home and Contents Insurance claim types. While children throwing toys, remotes, or balls indoors often lead to broken screens, Allianz also points to damage arising from routine adult activities in confined or cluttered spaces.
Both NRMA Insurance and Allianz have used recent claims experience to outline practical loss‑prevention measures for customers and intermediaries. Allianz has advised households to pay attention to how people and pets move through the home, to keep walkways free of clutter, and to place fragile items such as glassware and vases away from high‑traffic areas. It also recommends storing items that children or pets should not access out of reach and using coverings when moving furniture to limit the risk of impact damage.
Regular maintenance, including checking for leaks, tightening fixtures, and replacing worn components, is being promoted as a way to reduce preventable damage. Insurers additionally note that some higher‑risk activities, such as ball sports or certain DIY projects, may be better carried out outside main living areas where space is limited. For insurance professionals, the combined claims data from NRMA and Allianz underline two parallel tasks: ensuring that accidental damage cover is appropriately selected and explained, and supporting policyholders with clear guidance aimed at reducing both the frequency and severity of everyday household losses.
