- 31% of households surveyed report outdoor ball games like football caused damage to their homes.
- Call of Duty is the video game causing the most physical outburst damage to survey respondents’ homes or belongings (30%).
- Average repair bill for game-related damage is $169.52, with some incidents exceeding $500.
From backyard footy matches to marathon gaming sessions, Australians love their games — but new research from Compare the Market reveals they’re also costing households more than just fun and memories.
According to the survey, outdoor ball sports are a leading cause of accidental home damage, with almost one-third (31%) of households surveyed reporting incidents ranging from cracked windows to dented walls. Indoor activities aren’t far behind, with 27% of Australians surveyed admitting that indoor ball games have caused damage in their homes.
On the digital front, video games emerged as a major culprit, with Call of Duty ranking as the single most damaging title, linked to accidents in 30% of households surveyed. Other potentially destructive favourites included Fortnite (24%), Super Mario Kart (23%), FIFA (22%), and Minecraft (20%).
The average repair bill for game-related damage sits at $169.52, with nearly one in four households surveyed (22%) spending between $51 and $100 to fix accidents. While 12% escaped with costs under $50, 6% faced bills over $500, turning a fun night into a financial headache.
Tech devices top the list, with 39% of damage involving laptops, mobiles, or tablets. Other common casualties include ornaments and mirrors (34%), furniture (28%), holes in walls or ceilings (27%), TVs and stereos (26%), and even carpets (25%).
Regional breakdown
- New South Wales households surveyed lead the way in console-related accidents (47%), though their average repair bill is slightly below the national average at $160.
- Victorians face the steepest costs, averaging $182 per incident, and report the highest share of structural damage like holes in walls (33%).
Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, notes how home and contents insurance could help cover you for some instances of accidental damage around the home.
“Accidents in the home aren’t always dramatic events. That’s why having suitable home and contents insurance in place is so important.
“Whether it’s a football smashing through a window or a spilled drink on a laptop, accidental damage cover for home and contents could help give you piece of mind over your home and your belongings so that, should the unexpected happen, you’re covered.”
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) to check for the inclusions, limits and restrictions before purchasing to make sure the product is suitable.
To view the full rankings and explore the findings, please visit: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/home-contents-insurance/features/most-destructive-games/
Methodology:
Compare the Market commissioned 3Gem to survey 500 Australian respondents in September 2025.
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