Homeowners need to be cautious when partying this Christmas, as research by Sainsbury’s Bank has revealed that more than a third (36%) of Brits have caused some damage to their property over the past three years – and that’s just while getting ready to go out.

The most common pre-party perils to happen to people getting ready to go out involve a spillage of some kind, with hair dye, nail polish or nail polish remover and make-up all featuring prominently in the list of accidents.

The age group most likely to have an accident are aged under 35, with more than half (54%) admitting that either they or someone they lived with had caused damage to their property when preparing for a night out. This figure falls to 39% for those aged 35 to 54 and 18% for those aged over 55.

The most common accidents experienced for those that have hosted a party are spillages that cause a stain that can’t be cleaned up (22%), doors or locks being broken (8%) and – possibly of greatest concern to hosts – fridges and freezers breaking down (8%).

Post-party bump in claims

Sponsored

Wellness and wellbeing holidays: Travel insurance is essential for your peace of mind

Out of the pandemic lockdowns, there’s a greater emphasis on wellbeing and wellness, with

Sponsored by Post Office

Sainsbury’s Home Insurance data showed that claims for accidental damage rose by 6% in January compared to the annual average in the wake of party season. Furthermore, the number of claims for accidental damage over the festive period last Christmas rose by 9.8% in comparison with the previous year.

Scott Gorman of Sainsbury’s Home Insurance said: “Christmas is a magical time when friends and family come together to eat, drink and be merry. However, this can sometimes be a hazardous combination, with a large proportion of people claiming to have either been the victim or perpetrator of a classic festive party mishap.

“Items such as candles, irons, and hair straighteners can be easy to forget when getting ready to go out. And we’d also recommend putting any valuable items out of reach if you’re hosting a party.”

[article_related_posts]