From flying toys to anti-bac sprays, new data released today shows flat-screen TVs have been paying the price of lockdown.
There has been a reported 22% rise in claims for flat screen TVs since lockdown began, with the average cost of damage at £580.
Incidents have included a customer whose son accidentally threw his toy hammer at his sister, and while she had a near miss, the TV didn’t, causing £400 worth of damage. Another policyholder suffered £500 of damage when their child tried to help out around the house and decided to deep clean the TV with antibacterial spray, causing discolouration and water damage.
But it is not just the beloved TV that’s come under attack during lockdown; Insurers have also seen claims for accidental damage to glass rocket by 57%, with an average replacement cost of £680. One policyholder racked up £1000 worth of damage when her son accidentally threw a stone in the direction of the patio door.
There have also been a number of claims since lockdown for home electronics including a milk-covered games console and a laptop damaged by a child using it as a trampoline. Another family experienced a different type of blues when a child knocked over a tin of blue paint in the hallway, causing 10m² of damage and costing £445 to replace.
Insurers have said, “With schools closed for the majority of children and families spending more time at home, accidents were to be expected. While most people try to look after their belongings and remind their children how to play safely, we all know mishaps can happen. This is why having good home contents insurance and accidental damage cover is so important. Our team is there to help fix or replace the items that matter to us the most.”
In addition, as retailers report a big rise in sales of expensive bikes, home electronics and exercise equipment, this is a reminder to homeowners to contact their insurer and add any new single high value items (over £1000) to their cover.

Some insurers have paid out nearly £10m in storm damage claims this year

An insurer has paid out nearly £10m in storm damage claims this year to its general insurance customers, which is almost double the amount claimed for storm damage in 2019.

These high claims pay-outs to storms that hit the UK in the latter half of 2019, as well as storms that have blighted the UK this year – this includes Storm Ciara in February, where an insurer paid out £3.2m in claims.

Also in February was Storm Dennis, which saw pay-outs up to £1.7m to policyholders for storm damage claims. Storm Brendan in January saw claims amounting to £471,000, while Storms Jorge, Ellen and Francis also generated £50,000 to £60,000 worth of claims each.

Claims made for storm damage included the loss of roof tiles, water penetration, guttering and chimney stack damage, damage to walls and outbuildings and damage caused by or to garden equipment, including damage caused by trampolines.

It is reported that York suffered the most damage from 2020’s storms, accounting for 13.8% of all claims received by the insurer. This was followed by Wolverhampton (12.2%), Tunbridge Wells (8%), Warrington (7.9%) and Wakefield (6.6%).

Research further showed that one in three homeowners are unprepared for storms, while 22% expect wear and tear damage to covered as standard on their home insurance policy.