What are the most common home insurance claims?

Home insurance is very important, it’s what protects your home and belongings. It’s there for a worst-case scenario in the event of any incidents, but it’s good to have things in place to help prevention. Here are the top insurance claims that occur in the UK:

Burst pipes

Burst pipes can be common during the winter as the cold weather can cause the water inside to freeze and expand, breaking the pipe. Place a temperature sensors near a thermostat or exposed plumbing so you can keep an eye on the temperature.

Escape of water

Damage caused by a water leak is usually from your plumbing or a home appliance. To help prevent any incidents before causing serious damage, place a water sensor near your washing machine, dishwasher or another area where there could be an accident. According to the Association of British Insurers, escape of water accounts for one in four domestic property claims.

Flooding

Flooding occurs when water enters - or builds up in - a property at a slow and steady pace. This could be a result of heavy rainfall for example. You can check the Environment Agency website to find out whether a property is in a flood risk area.

Storms

Windstorm is the most damaging of the natural perils. A storm is a period of violent weather defined as:

• Wind speeds with gusts of at least 48 knots (55mph) or;

• Torrential rainfall at a rate of at least 25mm per hour or;

• Snow to a depth of at least one foot (30 cm) in 24 hours or;

• Hail of such intensity that it causes damage to hard surfaces or breaks glass

Make sure to check with your insurance provider to define what is covered under your policy for this area.

Fire

387,638 fire related incidents happened in the year ending June 2020 and 85% of house fires are typically caused by accidents. Some of the most common causes include:

• Cooking appliances

• Smoking

• Portable heaters

• Candles

• Electrical wiring & appliances

Make sure to install Smoke Detectors so it will alert you of any smoke, before turning into a more dangerous fire

Theft

Home burglaries happen more than we’d like, in fact, 64% happen when someone is home and the most common way to break into the home is via a door. To help prevent a break-in and to have the extra peace of mind, make sure you have a home security system which has entry sensors for the doors and windows, motion sensors to detect movement and cameras to capture crucial evidence.

Subsidence

Subsidence is when the ground beneath a building sinks, pulling the property’s foundations down with it. Subsistence usually occurs when the ground loses moisture and shrinks due to prolonged dry spells, or the presence of trees and shrubs which cause the soil to lose moisture. The first sign of subsidence is usually the appearance of cracks in your home’s walls, either in the internal plasterwork or external brickwork. Other signs include doors and windows sticking.

Accidental damage

Accidental damage protects against damage resulting from everyday household accidents like breakages and spillages. personal possessions insurance covers items you take outside the home like laptops, tablet computers and cameras.

We are pleased to introduce a new home insurance offer for our customers, in partnership with the team at A-Plan Insurance. Visit A-Plan to find out more and request a quote.

Reference: Information has also been sourced from 'Deloitte Annual Home Insurance Seminar - 14 October 2020' and www.ABI.co.uk