One million home insurance claims this Christmas, predicts Sainsbury's Bank

Poor weather, burst pipes and fires have seen more than a million homeowners a year claim on their home insurance over the Christmas period since 1999.

Sainsbury's Bank has released new figures showing that in addition to other disasters, almost a quarter of a million homes face burglaries making home contents insurance a top priority.

"This Christmas, not everyone will be full of festive spirit. Underestimating your home contents could leave you without adequate cover and you could find any claims either turned down or not met in full," said Robert O'May, home insurance manager, Sainsbury's Bank.

Sainsbury's Bank has revealed that over the last five years power failures have damaged 3.1 million homes, poor weather has affected 1.91 million more, burst pipes have hit 861,000 properties and fires have affected 214,000 homes.

In addition Sainsbury's Bank research found that over the last five years, 1.2 million people claim to have been burgled during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

To try and prevent disaster and insurance claims this Christmas Sainsbury's Bank has released the following advice:
-Do not put presents under the tree until Christmas eve, as they might attract thieves
-Make sure your burglar alarm is set when you go out or at night when you go to bed
-Use a UV pen to mark your postcode on expensive presents and belongings, as well as taking photos of them and keeping receipts, to aid insurance claims
-Prepare for cold weather, checking that pipes are properly lagged for example
-Have all relevant contact details for organisations that can help if disaster strikes during the festive celebrations including gas and electricity providers
-Remember to switch off Christmas lights and remove the plug from the socket when you go to bed as this can reduce the chances of a fire
-Choose a home insurance policy which provides a home emergency service should disaster strike, as this can remove the hassle of finding a plumber