The research, from Swinton Insurance, shows more than a third of parents (37 per cent) have made at least two claims on their home insurance, with each damage claim averaging £418.
The study further reveals that nearly a fifth of parents (18 per cent) admit to claiming on three different occasions to meet the costs of ruined sofas, plasma TVs and more.
From smashed windows to stained carpets, Britain’s kids are responsible for a long list of misdemeanours. The most common damage caused by kids at home are:
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Drawing on, painting or tearing wallpaper from walls (57 per cent)
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Smashing ornaments, vases, photo frames and crockery (43 per cent)
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Spillages on carpets or floors (24 per cent)
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Breaking windows and doors (21 per cent)
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Damaging furniture and beds (16 per cent)
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Breaking electrical items including TVs, laptops and games consoles (13 per cent)
Mark Hallam, Head of Products at Swinton Insurance, said:
“Many parents will view the Easter school holidays with trepidation. We all know how easily children can become bored, which can potentially result in hundreds of pounds worth of damage.”
Across the regions the study revealed that parents in Northern Ireland are at greatest risk from hefty bills, with kids causing an average of £615 worth of damage per claim. Following closely behind are children in London (£519) and the West Midlands (£477).
Hallam added: “Dealing with the fallout of damage caused by children can be inconvenient, stressful and costly – but having the appropriate level of contents insurance cover in place can make a real difference.
“Whilst some types of accidental damage are covered as standard by most contents insurance policies, parents should ensure they know exactly what’s covered by their policy. Adding extra accidental damage cover can help protect against all manner of mischievous mishaps and may provide parents with additional peace of mind.”
Swinton Insurance is offering 12 months’ free standard contents cover to homeowners taking out a new combined buildings and contents insurance policy, which includes some accidental damage cover. For an additional premium parents can upgrade to full accidental damage cover on the policy.
The offer, which runs until end of May, is available to homeowners switching to Swinton and existing customers who have other policies with the UK’s largest high street broker.
When a customer visits a branch or phones, Swinton will search its panel of insurers, quote the lowest combined buildings and contents price found and deduct the cost of the contents only cover from the premium (Terms and Conditions apply: www.swinton.co.uk/home-insurance/free-contents-offer).
The offer is available to qualifying homeowners in Swinton’s 350 branches nationwide and by telephoning 0800 466 1937 (not online).
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