Be sure you are insured for a Bonfire Night bonanza

Published:

26/10/2009

Topic:

Press Release,Insurance,Home,Pet

With Bonfire Night and fireworks extravaganzas just around the corner, moneysupermarket.com urges people to make sure their home insurance personal liability cover will insure them for any accidents.

• Check the small print of your home insurance for personal liability cover
• Don't forget to check pets are insured too, says moneysupermarket.com

The UK's leading price comparison website warns checking the small print of your home insurance policy is crucial - especially at this time of year. Annual home insurance policies are available for as little as £144 from Churchill, and provide cover for personal liability to the tune of £2,000,000¹. According to the latest BIS (Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, formerly known as BERR) figures over 6,600 people were hurt and required hospital treatment following accidents caused by fireworks, and around half of all injuries happen to children under the age of 16 years².

Julie Owens, head of home insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "It's a shame that fireworks cause hundreds of avoidable injuries every year, especially as they should be so enjoyable. With Bonfire Night looming Guy Fawkes revellers really should remember that safety comes first, especially when a simple sparkler reaches a temperature of up to 2,000°C.

"Parties at home are a great way to celebrate the night, but if someone burns their hand on a sparkler or on the bonfire, you could find yourself liable for any injury or damage if you are not covered by insurance, and also face a hefty payout. The same applies if you are at a friend's party and are hurt by a firework, they will need to have adequate insurance to cover any injury.
"Sparing a thought for pets is another key consideration. With fireworks aplenty it is arguably the most traumatic and dangerous time of year for our four-legged friends and owners should take steps to protect them. Fireworks can cause distress, disorientation and panic, which can in turn lead to accidents and animals going astray. Often, insuring your pet is worth it for peace of mind alone."

moneysupermarket.com found owners can cover their pets from as little as £59 a year for dogs and £36 for cats, but warns checking the small print is crucial as levels of cover for vets fees and third party liability will vary³. Pet owners need to ensure their four-legged friends are safeguarded for the evening and also adequately insured in case of injury or if they get lost, and also to protect against any damage or harm caused by their pet.

moneysupermarket.com's top tips for staying safe this Bonfire Night:

• Keep a close eye on children. Ensure that they wear appropriate clothing, especially gloves, when near bonfires or sparklers
• If you have a Bonfire party, ensure that there is sufficient space between the fireworks and the guests. It is also advisable to not drink in excess, and to ensure that 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.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

For further safety advice and tips visit official websites:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/index.htm
http://fireworkssafety.direct.gov.uk/index.html

¹ Home insurance policies, including policy wording for personal liability: 

Insurer	Premium	Excess	Maximum Claim	Cover Details
Churchill	£143.85 (Premium includes online discount)	£100	£2,000,000	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 £2,000,000.  They will also pay all costs and legal fees for defending you as long as this has been agreed in writing.
The AA	£168.14 (Premium includes online discount)	£100	£2,000,000	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 £2 million for all claims arising from any one accident plus costs and expenses that The AA agree to in writing.
Halifax	£187.08 (Premium includes £50 cashback)	£100	£2,000,000	Legal Responsibilities - 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 insurance period is £2,000,000.
Barclays	£191.00 (Premium includes online discount)	£100	£2,000,000	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 agreed in advance.
Budget	£193.69	£100	£2,000,000	Buildings Liability - Budget will pay up to £2,000,000 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 physical property.

Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 20.10.2009
Scenario: 3 bed semi-detached in Manchester M20, house built 1980, 5 years NCD

² (BIS website under construction) Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform website still active (http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/download/Firework_Toolkit_A4_ENG.pdf)

³ Top five pet insurance policies for dogs and cats:

Pet Insurance for Dogs (1-2 Years) 

Insurer	Policy	Premium	Vet Fees*	3rd Party Liability*
E&L	Bronze	£58.72	£1,500	£1,000,000
Argos	Silver	£72.75	£2,500	£1,000,000
Animal Friends	Basic	£91.44	£500	£1,000,000
Marks & Spencer	Standard	£112.08	£4,000	£1,000,000
PetPlan	Pet Value	£178.92	£3,000	£1,000,000

*Benefit subject to excess     
Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com on 20.10.2009 

Pet Insurance for Cats (1-2 Years)
 

Insurer	Policy	Premium	Vet Fees*	3rd Party Liability*
E&L	Bronze	£36.00	£1,500	None
Argos	Silver	£50.91	£2,500	None
Animal Friends	Basic	£69.72	£500	None
Marks & Spencer	Standard	£91.68	£4,000	None
PetPlan	Pet Value	£103.44	£3,000	None

*Benefit subject to excess     
Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com on 20.10.2009  

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