Home insurance warning for clumsy Britons

Accident-prone Britons should consider taking out home insurance that covers them against mishaps, it has been claimed.

Research by Direct Line has found that more than a quarter of people have to spend over £200 to repair or replace the item they have most recently damaged, a cost that a home insurance policy including accident cover could help with.

Andrew Lowe, head of home insurance, said: 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.

Taking out a home insurance policy which has accidental damage cover means people can make a claim for such things as broken ornaments, spilt wine or paint on the carpet and damaged furniture, he added.

Yesterday, Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers' Association, warned people that home insurance is vital to cover the cost of unexpected incidents.