Half-term home damage by children & pets to top £100 million

Parents could face huge bills for accidental damage caused to their homes by their children, children’s friends or family pets over the forthcoming half term holiday, warns Sainsbury’s Home Insurance. The bank estimates that the cost of this could be as high as £106 million.

With the threat of poor weather, many children are likely to spend a considerable amount of time in their homes during the half term holiday, increasing the chances of something getting broken or damaged. Sainsbury’s Home Insurance estimates that as many as 900,000 people could experience some property damage caused by children or pets during half-term. However, the bank says that for every incident of damage caused to a home by the children living there, as many as three incidents of damage are caused by their friends.

Steve Johnson, Head of Sainsbury's Home Insurance said: “A week of having your children at home can be a challenge in terms of keeping them amused and entertained. If the weather is poor and they have to spend more time indoors, the chances of your home being damaged in some way by them or their friends increases.”

In terms of specific rooms or areas that are most likely to suffer damage, most at risk from children and pets is damage to walls, carpets and flooring.

Areas of the home that are most at risk from damage caused by children and pets

1. Walls/carpets/flooring
2. Furniture & windows
3. Garage, doors & electronic equipment

As well as being competitively priced, Sainsbury's Home Insurance also offers an extensive range of cover and benefits. This includes:

Unlimited buildings cover
Unlike some home insurers, Sainsbury’s Bank does not apply charges for customers paying their premiums by direct debit
Maximum standard no-claims discount is 30%.
No-claims discount protection
Cover for accidental damage - even by pets

For further information on Sainsbury’s home insurance or to receive a quote, visit sainsburys.co.uk.