NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer saw the number of claims involving bags, briefcases and wallets rise by 210% between 2013 and 2015 with the average cost of a claim increasing from £627 to £857.
According to the insurer’s figures*, theft was the most common reason for claims (61%) followed by claims for lost items (27%) and accidental damage (9%). Items were most commonly stolen whilst their owners were on holiday, whilst left unattended in a vehicle or whilst on a train.
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Insurer reveals 210% rise in number of claims for wallets, bags and briefcases
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Ministerial briefcases worth upwards of £1,000 each
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Whilst many people will be holding onto their hats ahead of today’s budget, one insurer is urging the Chancellor to keep a tight hold on his red Budget briefcase.
“Whilst the Chancellor’s briefcase is kept under close scrutiny, ministerial briefcases are rumoured to be worth around £1000 and, as they are due to be phased out in favour of thumbprint activated smartphones their desirability is bound to increase making them a target for thieves.
“According to our claims data, people are most likely to lose bags, briefcases and wallets whilst on holiday, whilst their personal items are left unattended in a vehicle or whilst travelling on a train. Thefts from airports, whilst out shopping or visiting a church and bags being run over by their owners were also reasons for claims being made.”
In addition to the top three reasons for losing items, the insurer also revealed some of its quirkier claims including: a rucksack stolen by a monkey; a husband who ran over his wife’s bag with the family caravan; a brazen thief who stole a briefcase whilst its owner was asleep on the train and the Mulberry handbag that was ruined by pesto oil.
Whilst The Chancellor’s briefcase has never suffered a mishap (although Neville Chamberlain once left it at home on Budget day) there have been plenty of near misses when it comes to ministerial briefcases:
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In 2013, David Cameron left his ministerial briefcase unattended on a train whilst he visited the buffet car;
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In 2010 a Government minister was mugged and his ministerial briefcase stolen as he walked home;
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In 2009, then culture Secretary Andy Burnham left a briefcase containing confidential documents on a train.
*Based in figures from January 2104 – December 2015
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