DIY claims go through the roof over Easter

 

15/03/2005


With Easter around the corner, many Brits will be arming themselves with hammers, drills and paintbrushes for the year's first major DIY onslaught.  However, research from Churchill Home Insurance proves they might do better to get the pros in instead, as DIY claims double during the Easter holiday.*

 

Britons spend a total of £11 billion a year, or £257 per head, on DIY, with some spending up to as much as £1800.** With that amount of spend as well as potential damage to the home, there is plenty of scope for costly DIY disasters.  Churchill's home insurance database of around 10,000 accidental damage claims shows the average DIY-related home claim at £401.40.

 

According to Churchill's research, Easter Monday is the worst day for DIY disasters, closely followed by Easter Sunday.  Good Friday is the quietest day over the period for claims. 

 

Churchill’s Home Insurance spokesman, Greg Dawson said: "There is a very clear trend with DIY related home claims. They tend to rise over national holidays, where homeowners begin to get creative. Claims tend to be lower on the first day of the holidays as it is often the purchasing day. The claims often follow the next day when the purchases are erected or installed."

 

Churchill has compiled a 'DIY Disaster' list which breaks down the types of DIY claim made over the Easter period:

  1. Painting / decorating (72%)
  2. Drilling / hammering / putting up shelves (14%) 
  3. Ladder related accidents (8%)
  4. Tiling (3%) – broken tiles, tiles cracking bathroom suites
  5. Glue / adhesive (1.25%)
  6. Other – saws, chisels, etc

Some of the worst DIY disasters Churchill has paid out for include:

  • A policyholder who was installing a wooden floor and nailed through a pipe, causing  £1583.09 damage
  • An excitable two year old helper who put a hammer through a TV screen, causing £1398.82 damage
  • A policyholder who damaged a sewage pipe while trying to remove concrete steps, resulting in a claim for £744.17
  • A policyholder who fell off a ladder and onto his dining room table, resulting in a claim for £339.99

As the DIY and home moving season gets into full swing, Churchill is offering new customers a 30% discount on home buildings and/or contents insurance. This includes a 20% new customer discount plus an extra 10% if they purchase cover online.

 

*Churchill research included a study of 1056 AD claims in 2004.
**Focus Wickes DIY Monitor, 27/08/04

 

For more information please contact:

 

Greg Dawson
Churchill Insurance

020 8285 3277
pressoffice@churchill.com

Calls may be recorded.