Brits spend over £200 replacing damaged contents

A quarter of Brits are spending in excess of £200 annually replacing damaged items in their homes, it has emerged.

Research conducted by Direct Line highlights that more than 30 per cent of accident-prone individuals have spilt red wine on their carpets, while more than a third admit to breaking ornaments, vases and photo frames.

Furthermore, 40 per cent of respondents said they had damaged furniture as the result of an accident.

Andrew Lowe, head of home insurance at Direct Line, says: “We all accidentally damage contents in our homes at some point. While these items are often small objects such as crockery or ornaments, the cost and inconvenience of damaging something with sentimental and material value is extremely frustrating.”

The insurer asserts that accidental damage cover can give homeowners “peace of mind” as they will know they are covered for spills and breakages.

In related news, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association recently urged people to seek advice from a broker before taking out a policy.

The association advised that this will help avoid over insuring and wasting money.

Tags: furniture, Business Finance, damaged items, policy.The association, Insurance

Gardens need insurance too

It is not only gardeners who value what is round the back of their houses. A new survey shows that a substantial minority of people value the contents of their gardens as worth up to £1,000.

The study by Nationwide found that 35 per cent of those polled put the value of garden furniture, lawnmowers, sprinklers, gnomes and other equipment in their gardens as between £200 and £1,000.

Thefts from gardens have been increasing in recent years, and garden tools left lying around can be used by burglars to gain entry to homes.

Nationwide’s insurance director, Robin Bailey, said: “Spring is in the air and, if the rain holds off, some of us may be planning to spend time in the garden this Bank Holiday weekend. Items such as lawnmowers and garden furniture will be dusted off and may be left out in the open for long periods of time, resulting in easy pickings for opportunistic thieves and vandals.

“It is really important that these items are adequately insured against acts of theft or vandalism.”

Tags: Lawn mower, burglars, new survey, rain, survey, vandals, thieves