2021 a record year for accident prone brits

• Record breaking 2021 as accidental damage tops the charts, with £14m paid out in claims
• Damage caused by animals cost the most to fix, with breakage claims highest overall   
• 1 March 2021 was the most accident-prone date of the year, with claims up 126% 

As we roll into a New Year, data from LV= General Insurance (LV= GI), one of the largest home insurers in the UK, reveals 2021 was the year of accidents at home as accidental damage claims topped the charts. A whopping £14 million was paid out in claims compared with around £11 million in 2020 and £10 million in 2019.

When looking back over the year, 1 March 2021 saw claims soar by 126%, marking it the most accident-prone date of the year. On average, accidental damage claims cost around £2,000, with issues relating to pets costing the most to fix and breakages accounting for the highest number of claims overall, particularly audio and visual electronic devices.

When looking at audio and visual electronic devices, TV’s over 32” accounted for 85% of accidental damage claims followed by a laptop/ computer at 5%. Customer’s pets also created havoc, causing six in 10 claims and 8% related to someone else’s pet causing chaos. Over one in five (21%) claims also related to vermin problems, with an LV= GI customer raising a claim after a badger set up home under the floorboards in the kitchen and gave birth to little badger babies, making a home for themselves. 

Overall the top five accidental damage claim types were: 

Martin Milliner, Claims Director at LV= General Insurance comments: “What a year we’ve had of accidents and mishaps around the home, mainly relating to breakages and pets. It’s so tricky to avoid some of these incidents when we’re all at home and accidental damage insurance is there for you if things do go wrong. It’s always worth checking the limit of your accidental damage policy to make sure you’ve got the right cover for your needs.”

Tips to avoid accidents at home:

• Avoid spills: Keep drinks away from electrical items like laptops and use bottles with lids for extra safety.

• Be careful with wires: It can be easy to trip on a trailing wire from laptops, TVs and computer games for entertainment. Make sure electrical cables for items are tucked away to avoid trips and breakages.

• Secure rugs: To prevent rugs from moving around and causing slips, secure them with non-skid pads or purchase rugs with slip-resistant backings. Another alternative is to use double-sided carpet tape to keep the rug in place.

• Tackling carpet stains: Speed is of the essence to tackle stains, so act fast. Use a white cloth or paper towel to blot (never rub) the area and then pour cold water onto the stain to dilute it. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with this solution, blotting as you go.

• Have insurance details to hand: Accidents do happen, so have your insurer's details to hand just in case and check your policy so you know what you're covered for.