Dramatic drop in volume and value of insurance claims

(14/09/2009)

The launch of the Sainsbury’s Home Insurance Claims Index, which tracks the volume and value of claims on a six monthly basis, suggests that insurers received a staggering 527,000 home insurance claims during the first half of 2008, but this fell to 373,000 for the same period in 2009. Furthermore, the average size of claim during these two periods was £918 and £735 respectively.

The Index reveals that the main reason for the huge difference in the number and value of home insurance claims during these two periods was that last year there was a lot more damage caused by storms. Sainsbury’s Home Insurance estimates that there were around 166% more home insurance claims linked to this category during the first half of 2008 than there were during the same period this year.

What is more, the average claim for storm damage in March 2008, a particularly severe month, was £460. This fell to just £93 in March this year, a drop of around 80%.

Lucy Hunter, Sainsbury’s Home Insurance manager said: “Our index shows the huge impact adverse weather conditions can have on the number and value of home insurance claims made. The first quarter of 2008 brought particularly severe conditions, and storm damage in that quarter accounted for 21.8% of all claims made. For the six months overall, storm damage was still the second most prevalent claim in 2008, accounting for 15.9% of claims made. In the first half of 2009 it only accounted for 8.5% of claims.

The Index reveals that for the first half of 2008, the five most common reasons for making a home insurance claim were water escaping; storms; accidental damage; theft and accidental damage to TVs, video audio and computers.

Sainsbury’s Home Insurance offers 12 months cover for the price of 9 when you buy combined buildings and contents cover.

Related categories:  Home insurance 

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