World Cup and Wimbledon cause home insurance claims

Halifax has said that sporting fever will cause an upturn in home insurance claims this summer.

The sporting fever that is gripping the nation in the summer of 2010 brings with it several contents and buildings insurance hazards, new research has shown.

According to the Halifax, home insurance claims for accidental breakages and smashed windows are set rise significantly over the coming weeks as over-exuberant celebrations for British hopefuls at the World Cup and Wimbledon cause damage up and down the country.

The study suggests that annual insurance claims for accidents such as broken windows and food and drink spillages on carpets increased by 37 per cent last summer.

However, this number could be boosted further this year as the annual excitement surrounding Wimbledon - which gets underway today - is supplemented further by the World Cup in South Africa.

Head of underwriting for Halifax Home Insurance, David Rochester, said: "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."

Andy Murray begins his campaign at Wimbledon against Jan Hajek tomorrow (June 22nd).

By Joe Letts