Post Office warns of New Years home insurance nightmare

With many Britons set to celebrate New Year's Eve in the comfort of their own homes, Richard Pennant-Jones, head of general insurance at the Post Office, has noted that this may have implications for home insurance cover .

Research conducted by the Post Office suggests 71 per cent of people in the UK will forego the lure of a pub, bar or nightclub to celebrate the start of 2010 at home.

This is up from the 63 per cent figure recorded in the lead-up to New Year's Eve in 2008.

According to Mr Pennant-Jones, this is hardly surprising given how most clubs and bars charge over-the-odds for entry and drinks at this time of the year.

However, he suggests that those people staying in need to make sure they have adequate home insurance cover before they start their celebrations.

Carpets, furniture, and home entertainment systems can be easily damaged and costly to repair or replace, Mr Pennant-Jones confirmed.

No one wants to start the New Year by paying out for post-party traumas!

Meanwhile, the Post Office announced today (December 31st) that the 2,000th ATM in its network has been installed at its branch in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees .