Home insurance warning over party season

UK residents have been urged to ensure their home insurance policy is adequate to cover accidental damage caused over the Christmas party season.

As many festive and new year celebrations are held in the home, damage caused by revellers could leave Brits reliant on their home insurance, warned Barclays.

The average home insurance claim for accidental damage during the 2005 festivities was £4,293, according to the company.

However, 50 per cent of home insurance policies do not have accidental damage cover, Barclays asserted, potentially leaving some Britons out in the cold this winter.

Mark Till, marketing director of Barclays Insurance, commented: We all know how quickly drinks get spilled or glasswork gets broken – and the cost of replacing items or cleaning carpets or furniture can quickly add up.

It is therefore important to add accidental damage cover to your home insurance policy.

American Express recently urged Britons to ensure that their home insurance policies cover the extra value of gifts in their home this Christmas.

Some burglars take advantage of the new goods available around this period - which could leave homeowners with a not-so-merry Christmas and an unhappy new year.