Would-be tennis stars warned about home insurance dangers

Home insurance policyholders have been reminded to check the terms of their insurance deal before getting out the tennis racquets this year.

Financial services provider Halifax Home Insurance has just confirmed that it noted a 76 per cent spike in broken glass claims in July 2006 compared to figures for January, with Southend apparently registering more insurance claims than any other place in the UK.

Vick Emmott, senior underwriting manager at Halifax Home Insurance, has attributed the rise in part to enthusiastic homeowners playing ball sports outside their property after watching major sporting events such as Wimbledon and the World Cup.

And with Wimbledon set to kick off again on June 25th 2007, Ms Emmott has urged people to think about possible home insurance implications.

We'd advise any budding Murrays and Sharapovas to take care when playing racquet sports close to home and check they are insured for accidental damage should a mishap occur, she said.

More people may be tempted to try their hand at tennis if a Brit makes it to the second week of Wimbledon.

Andy Murray is the highest ranked Briton in the Wimbledon draw ahead of Tim Henman, although Greg Rusedski has just retired from professional tennis and will not feature.