Half-term damage can cost parents £100m
Published On 16 October 2007
Parents could be left facing £106 million in home insurance claims at the end of the forthcoming half term school holiday as the result of damage caused by children, their friends and family pets, Sainsbury's Home Insurance has warned.As threatening rain likely keeps children indoors for a good part of their holidays, the financial services provider estimated that as many as 900,000 households would experience damage at the hands of children and pets.
It also warned homeowners that the vast majority (96 per cent) of home insurance policies will not include cover against damage caused by the family pet as standard.
Steve Johnson, head of Sainsbury's Home Insurance, noted: "A week of having your children at home can be a challenge in terms of keeping them amused and entertained. If the weather is poor and they have to spend more time indoors, the chances of your home being damaged in some way by them or their friends increases."
Based on its claims data, Sainsbury's estimates that walls, carpets, flooring, furniture and windows are the areas of your home most at threat this half-term holiday.
According to Halifax Home Insurance, its not just the kids putting homes at risk. Approximately £350 million is lost every year by eager home improvers running into problems having tried to copy something they saw on a DIY TV show.
