Remember, Remember...Check Your Cover This Bonfire Night
CHESTER, England, October 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
- Ensure your home insurance policy covers personal liability against damage and accidents
- Don't forget your canine and feline friends too, says MoneySupermarket.com
With households across the country soon set to host Bonfire Night celebrations, MoneySupermarket.com urges Brits to ensure their home insurance policy includes adequate personal liability protection to cover any accidents; otherwise the evening could go off the wrong kind of bang.
Britain's number one comparison site warns homeowners to check the small print of their home insurance policy for personal liability protection. Most insurers will provide cover of £2,000,000, however this does vary across providers.[1] According to statistics from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), over 6,600 people are injured in firework accidents each year, with half of these injuries happening to children under 16 [2]. If any accidents occur on your property, you could be liable for a personal injury claim, and not having enough personal liability cover in place, could leave you severely out of pocket.
Hannah Jones, home insurance expert at MoneySupermarket.com, said: "Bonfire Night is a popular celebration with households hosting their own fireworks parties or attending local public displays. To ensure events run smoothly, it is important for people to remember that safety has to come first.
"If you are hosting a bonfire night celebration at your home, it is essential your home insurance policy is up to date and that you have adequate personal liability cover. In the event of an accident you could find yourself liable for any injury or damage and facing a hefty payout. The same applies if you are at a friend's party and are injured by a firework; they will need to have adequate insurance to cover any claims."
Protecting furry friends
Pet owners should also think about protecting their four-legged friends from any potential dangers as the firework season kicks off. Cover for pets can cost around £89 a year for dogs and £45 for cats. Checking the small print of the insurance policy is crucial as levels of cover for vet's fees and third party liability will vary.[3]
Hannah Jones continued: "In the fun of firework season it is also important for pet owners to make sure they have protected their pets from the potential dangers of this time of year. Fireworks can cause distress, disorientation and panic, which can in turn lead to accidents and animals going astray. Insuring your pet at least gives you the peace of mind of knowing you will be covered for potential costs if they come into harm's way."
MoneySupermarket's top tips for staying safe this Bonfire Night:
- Keep a close eye on children. Ensure they wear appropriate clothing, especially gloves, when near bonfires or sparklers
- If you have a Bonfire party, then allow for sufficient space between the fireworks and the guests. It is also advisable not to drink to excess, and to check outside areas are well lit.
- Keep pets indoors. Close windows and curtains, and switch on music to drown out the noise of fireworks, and don't forget smaller pets living outside, like rabbits and guinea pigs, can be brought inside for extra protection.
Further safety advice and tips an be found at:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/index.htm
Notes to Editors:
[1]
Maximum
Insurer Cover Details Claim
Property owners liability - Churchill will
pay all amounts you become legally
responsible for as a result of an accident
which happens during the period of cover
if someone is injured, falls or dies or if
property is lost or damaged. The most
Churchill will pay for all claims arising
from one incident is GBP2,000,000. They
will also pay all costs and legal fees for
defending you as long as this has been
Churchill agreed in writing. GBP2,000,000
Legal Liability - The AA will insure you
for all amounts which you have legal
liability to pay as owner but not occupier
for accidents which happen in or around
the property which result in physical
injury to or illness of any person or loss
of or damage to the property. There is a
limit of GBP2 million for all claims
arising from any one accident plus costs
and expenses that The AA agree to in
The AA writing. GBP2,000,000
Property owners liability - Your liability
to pay damages and costs for accidental
death, disease, illness, or personal
injury to anyone other than you or a
member of your family or accidental damage
to physical property other than your
property or that of a member of your
family. The most Halifax will pay for any
single event that happens during any
Halifax insurance period is GBP1,000,000. GBP1,000,000
Your Liability to the Public - Barclays
will cover your legal liability as owner
of the buildings for damages, costs and
expenses if anyone is accidentally injured
or falls ill or property is accidentally
lost or damaged. Barclays will also pay
for any defence costs and expenses if
Barclays agreed in advance. GBP2,000,000
Buildings Liability - Budget will pay up
to GBP2,000,000 with regards to your legal
responsibility to others as a property
owner for: Which you are legally
responsible as the owner of your property
to pay to others in respect of damages or
costs as the result of accidental death,
disease, illness, or accidental physical
injury to anyone other than the members of
your Household. Accidental damage to
Budget physical property. GBP2,000,000
[2]Department for Business Business, Innovation & Skills
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/consumer-issues/docs/f/10-1038-fireworks-safety-media-toolkit
[3]Pet Insurance for Dogs (1-2 Years)
3rd Party
Insurer Policy Premium Vet Fees* Liability*
E&L Silver GBP89.10 GBP3,500 GBP1,250,000
Animal Friends Basic GBP114.12 GBP3,000 GBP1,000,000
Marks &
Spencer Standard GBP123.60 GBP4,000 GBP1,000,000
Argos Silver GBP136.60 GBP2,500 GBP1,000,000
PetPlan Essential GBP189.12 GBP3,000 GBP1,000,000
Average GBP130.51
*Benefit subject to excess
Sourced by http://www.moneysupermarket.com on 25.10.2012
Pet Insurance for Cats (1-2 Years)
3rd Party
Insurer Policy Premium Vet Fees* Liability*
E&L Silver GBP45.25 GBP3,500 None
Animal Friends Basic GBP48.60 GBP3,000 None
Marks &
Spencer Standard GBP54.12 GBP4,000 None
Argos Silver GBP60.27 GBP2,500 None
PetPlan Essential GBP97.08 GBP3,000 None
Average GBP61.06
*Benefit subject to excess
Sourced by http://www.moneysupermarket.com on 25.10.2012
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For further information, please contact:
Nicki Parry
PR Officer
+44(0)1244-370318
nicki.parry@moneysupermarket.com
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