Wimbledon plus World Cup equal smashing time for UK households
As World Cup Fever and Wimbledon Mania sweep the nation, Halifax Home Insurance anticipates a significant rise in claims for broken windows and accidental breakages.
This summer is sure to be full of thrills and spills as sports fans across the UK emulate their favourite football and tennis stars, potentially causing mayhem around the home in the process. According to Halifax Home Insurance claims data, claims for broken windows and accidental breakages increased by 37% last summer compared to the winter months. This is due to what the insurer calls the 'Murray Effect', an increase in household accidents and breakages commonly seen around May and June as homeowners demonstrate their (lack of) racquet and ball skills.
Head of Underwriting for Halifax Home Insurance, David Rochester comments: "Each year we see a rise in summertime claims for smashed windows and general breakages around the home, costing an average of £235 to fix. With 2010 being a World Cup year we anticipate even more sport-related mishaps as people host parties in the home, practice their sporting skills around the home, or simply get carried away with the excitement, spilling food and drink on the carpet in the process."
According to Halifax claims data, residents of Harlow in Essex had the most smashing time last year, topping the chart in claims for broken windows and breakages, closely followed by householders in Ipswich and Basingstoke. Halifax advises hapless sports fans to check their home insurance policies to ensure they are covered for accidental damage.
Wimbledon 2010 runs from June 21st - July 4th. Last year Swiss Supremo Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick in a nail-biting men's final, making it his 6th Wimbledon win and once again securing his number One World Champion spot. Serena Williams won the 2009 women's final, beating sister Venus to the title.
Wimbledon Trivia
The youngest ever player to compete at Wimbledon was Jennifer Capriati of the US, aged just 14 years and 90 days when she debuted in 1990
2000 kilos of strawberries are consumed at Wimbledon every year
One tonne of grass seed is used each year, and the playing height of the grass is exactly 8mm
World Cup Trivia
England players were paid just £70 for playing in the 1950 world cup final
Kerry Dixon had the shortest ever England World Cup career, spending just 6 minutes on the pitch at Mexico '86
Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser, who gave Diego Maradonna's 'hand of God' goal, claimed his eyesight had been affected by medication he was taking to cure his piles.