Imagine this scenario: you’re enjoying a nice evening at a friend’s house. You pick up their cell phone to look at a photo… and whoops! The device slips out of your hands and crashes to the floor. The screen is shattered, and you feel terrible. The big question is: does your home insurance cover this type of damage?

The short answer is yes… but not always.

Generally speaking, your liability insurance can cover damage you unintentionally cause to someone else’s property. So if you accidentally drop your friend’s cell phone, chances are it will be covered.

But—because there’s always a “but”—it all depends on the circumstances, exclusions, and limitations of your policy. Accidental damage? Possibly covered. Intentional damage? Forget it. Long-term loans? Not always clear.

Why it’s not automatic

Every insurer has its own rules. Some provide better coverage for accidental damage, others less. And even if it is covered, the deductible can sometimes be higher than the cost of the repair. The result: you pay more than the price of the cell phone itself.

It’s also important to understand that civil liability covers unintentional damage. If you were playing ninja in the living room and threw the phone against the wall… let’s just say it might be more complicated.

How to avoid unpleasant surprises

The best thing to do is to check your home insurance policy—or better yet, discuss it with your broker. They can explain what is and isn’t covered, depending on your contract and your situation.

It’s also a good idea to review your coverage if you’re the clumsy type… or if your friends have phones that cost more than a week in the South.

Ultimately, breaking a friend’s cell phone may be covered by your home insurance, but it’s never 100% guaranteed. It all depends on your policy and the circumstances of the breakage. So, before handling a $1,500 phone, make sure your coverage—and your grip—are solid. And to be sure, just ask your broker. It’s their job to help you avoid unpleasant surprises.