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Dentures unintentionally being thrown away with wrapping paper and an oven door snapping off are among the many Christmas Day calamities which were handled in recent times by an insurance coverage large.
Aviva has delved into dwelling insurance coverage claims masking the eight Christmas Days from 2016 to 2023.
Accidental harm is among the many most typical claims, with breakages together with a broken TV after a buyer slipped on a small toy and fell on to it.
In one other incident, a Christmas raclette was ruined after a canine tripped over the wire and flipped it over.
Carpets and rugs have additionally been broken by spilled crimson wine and knocked-over candles.
We urge everybody to remain vigilant over the vacations to make sure their celebrations stay merry and brilliant
Hannah Davidson, Aviva
Cookers and hobs have additionally been broken whereas cooking Christmas dinner, together with a declare the place the oven door snapped off.
Aviva has additionally handled claims for misplaced valuables, together with watches, telephones, gold and diamond rings, in addition to misplaced dentures after they had been thrown out with wrapping paper.
Escape of water claims have additionally been widespread, together with a declare for a flooded kitchen after somebody fell asleep after leaving a faucet on.
Claims for roof harm due to stormy winter climate, together with tiles being ripped off and water harm, have additionally been handled.
The insurer has additionally handled a river bursting its banks on Christmas Day, resulting in properties changing into uninhabitable.
Christmas candles setting gentle to carpets, tables and mantlepieces have been chargeable for fireplace claims.
In one other property declare, a freezer stopped engaged on Christmas Day, ruining all of the festive meals inside.
Aviva information additionally reveals property break-ins on Christmas Day whereas individuals have been away. Stolen objects embody vehicles, bikes, jewelry and watches, together with a Rolex, devices corresponding to telephones and laptops – and even all of the crops and slabs from a backyard.
The insurer additionally stated it had handled a number of incidents of harm to partitions, gardens and properties brought on by drunk drivers crashing into individuals’s houses.
It has additionally seen instances of deliberate harm, together with vandalised gates and objects being hurled by way of home windows on Christmas Day.
Hannah Davidson, senior underwriting supervisor at Aviva, stated: “We urge everybody to remain vigilant over the vacations to make sure their celebrations stay merry and brilliant.
“This means not leaving candles or open fires unattended, monitoring meals whereas it’s cooking, particularly if there are kids about, making certain decorations and Christmas lights are safely put in and holding valuables out of attain or sight.
“With new battery-operated toys and gadgets within the dwelling, it’s additionally necessary to be sure to’re conscious of how your loved ones are charging these gadgets to make sure they’re doing so safely to keep away from the chance of fireside.
“If you propose on being away for the vacation season, shutting off your water on the mains and securing your property correctly also can assist defend it from any surprising occasions.”
She additionally advised that individuals examine whether or not their insurance coverage covers the worth of items acquired this Christmas.
Many insurance policies require valuables over £2,000 to be specified, she added.
– Here are some ideas from Aviva to assist individuals defend their houses this Christmas:
1. Keep costly items and valuables out of sight of prying eyes and preserve home windows and doorways locked.
2. Ensure satisfactory protection for elevated contents.
3. With new objects corresponding to cell phones, laptops, and tablets, examine whether or not your coverage covers them when you find yourself out and about.
4. Understand what will not be included in your coverage.
5. Avoid overloading electrical shops. Use surge protectors and keep away from “daisy-chaining” a number of extension cords.
6. Be cautious with candles and open fires.
7. Monitor kitchen actions. The kitchen is normally a busy place throughout the holidays. Make positive your smoke detectors are working and have a hearth extinguisher available.
8. Secure your private home. If you’re travelling, be certain all doorways and home windows are locked and your property is safe. If you’re leaving for an prolonged interval, shut off the water on the mains to forestall burst pipes.
9. Insulate uncovered pipes with specialist insulation. Do not neglect uncovered pipes within the loft, and your cold-water tank.
10. Keep an up to date stock of your belongings, together with new items, and preserve maintain of receipts when you have them. This might help make the claims course of smoother in case you do must file one.
