Guard and insure against accidents in the home
Personal insurance
30th July 2010
Accidents in the home cost homeowners millions of pounds each year to put right, with damages often running into thousands per incident. Households should take precautions to reduce the risk of accidents in the home, in addition to making sure they have adequate insurance to cover them in case of incidents.
Assessing properties for potential threats and taking action before anything goes wrong can substantially reduce the threat of accidental injury or damage to people and possessions. Meanwhile, insurance is available to provide financial support in the event of incidents and specialists in personal insurance are able give advice and guidance to consumers about the range of products on offer.
Susan Young, Group Personal Lines Director of Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd., stated: "Summer weather and the school holidays can result in increased risk to occupants of UK homes and to their possessions, so it is more important than ever to ensure that comprehensive buildings and contents cover, including accidental damage, is in place.
"As a result of the downturn, many people are opting to entertain at home, while children will be spending more time in domestic spaces over the coming weeks. This can be a lovely time for families and selecting the right product provides peace of mind during this period, allowing policyholders to enjoy the warm weather and more time together."
According to the NHS, one million under-18s are treated in accident and emergency units each year following incidents in the home. Measures that can be taken to mitigate risk include installing gates to prevent young people accessing certain areas of a house, placing bleach and cleaners out of reach of small hands, taking care with saucepans and boiling water, using window locks - which can also keep out burglars - putting safety devices on bath taps and ensuring kids wear helmets whenever they are riding bikes.
In addition to accidents that harm to individuals, unforeseen things can also cause damage to property. Many of these may be identified before any harm is caused and a comprehensive building and home contents policy can provide accidental damage protection if an incident occurs.
For example, a recent survey of more than 2,000 adults by Opinium Research found that as more people in the UK hold parties at their house, the bill for drink-fuelled repairs is likely to climb steadily. The most common incidents found during such events included accidents with electronic goods such as games consoles, televisions and computers, carpet stains, damaged furniture and broken crockery or glasses, with more than half (54 per cent) of incidents involving alcohol.
Consumers may like to bear advice given by Graeme Trudgill, the British Insurance Brokers Association's technical and corporate affairs executive, in mind. He suggested that choosing the right home insurance policy "is not just about price", but is also about ensuring that cover is suitable for the needs of the household. He noted that the cheapest available product may not provide the level of protection required, while costs could be affected by factors such as age or moving property.
