Christmas brings home insurance risks

The chance of having to claim on home insurance policies is increased over the festive season, according to one firm.

Aviva said that Christmas is one of the worst times for households, with extra cooking and candles creating a higher risk of fire occurring in the home and parties ending in stained furniture or broken glasses.

However, the increased number of expensive items stored under the Christmas tree is also an invitation to burglars, according to the home insurance provider, and it is offering cover for an extra £3,000 of equipment over December.

Greg Gladwell, director of household claims at Aviva, said: You may be very proud of those perfectly wrapped presents, but they are also enticing to an opportunistic burglar, so keep them out of sight from the outside world.

The Department for Communities and Local Government recently warned that households may have to claim on their home insurance if they do not take care with fairy lights and flammable decorations .