Accidental damage to homes worse in summer

Accidents in the home are more likely to happen during the summer as schoolchildren run free during the school holidays, Halifax states.

Home insurance claims are set to increase as a fifth of all claims happen in July and August when children are let loose in family homes.

Parents are being urged to check their home insurance policies to check they are covered for accidental damage such as broken windows and spillages on carpets.

Senior manager of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance Vicky Emmott commented: This summer's heavy rains show little sign of abating, meaning children may well find themselves cooped up indoors for hours on end when they want to be outside playing, so they may get restless and find mischievous ways to amuse themselves.

According to the survey, home insurance claims will increase by 23 per cent this summer and it found Glasgow the most accident prone place in the UK.

The warning comes after a surge in the sales of home insurance policies after flooding has affected large parts of the country in the past few months.