Confused.com: DIY is leading to more home insurance claims

A rise in the number of people taking on home improvements themselves is leading to an increase in home insurance claims.

This is the warning of Confused.com, which said that while 53 per cent of Britons now have a go at odd jobs on their properties to beat rising living costs, 31 per cent have had mishaps as a result.

Furthermore, 11 per cent of these accidents have been so serious that an insurance claim was necessary to repair the damage.

Scots and those in the West Midlands are most likely to tackle DIY, while north-eastern residents are least likely to pick up a tool bag.

Proving that a lack of skills can prove costly, 21 per cent of Scots admitted to forking out between £300 and £1,000 putting their DIY disasters right.

Confused.com spokesperson Mark Gabriel warned it is essential to check the small print on home insurance policies before embarking on a property improvement project - in case it makes the cover void - and to call in a professional if at all in doubt.

According to Hiscox, 58 per cent of winter weather damage in 2010 occurred in the loft, so DIY enthusiasts may be heading there first.

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