Accident damage insurance needed

Householders should apply for accidental damage cover before they try to carry out DIY projects in their own home, one expert has advised.

Steve Foulsham, technical services officer at the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA), says that the majority of claims on DIY accidents should be accepted by insurers. Work involving electrical fittings might not be paid out for, however, as many insurers may require this to be carried out by a professional.

"Most DIY disasters would be covered, as long as you have the right cover on your household policy. In the main, that would be accidental damage cover," he explained.

"Accidental damage on both buildings and contents is usually an optional extra. So it's really a question of ensuring that you have accidental damage cover, if you want those sorts of claims to be paid."

Research released by insurance provider Zurich, cited by the BBC, revealed that just under one in five people who tried to cut corners by doing home renovation work themselves had to pay a professional to fix their mistakes; paying out an average of £280 in repair bills, while 13 per cent handed over more than £500.

Property Investment News posted on 07/12/2007 16:17:44