News Categories

• Banking
• Breakdown Cover
• Car Insurance
• Credit Cards
• Home Insurance
• Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Loans
• Money
• Mortgages
• Pensions
• Pet Insurance
• Travel Insurance

News Archive

• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011
• August 2011
• July 2011
• June 2011

Newsletter

Drunks cause £700m damage to UK homes

By Marianne Straker, Mon 20 Feb 2012 - Published in Home Insurance

Brits drunk in their own home caused £700 million of damage, according to research by home insurance company MORE TH>N.

The company found that over a third of property owners admitted to causing a fire, a flood or smashing valuable items whilst under the influence. Middle-class people aged between 35 and 54 years old who had homes with an average value of over £240,000 were the worst offenders.

Buying alcohol in supermarkets has become increasingly popular as people choose to stay in rather than hit the bars but it can lead to a booze culture. Ministers in Northern Ireland and Scotland have backed plans to introduce a minimum pricing system which will abolish cheap, high-strength drink.

Matt Pernet, from MORE TH>N Home Insurance, said: "The dangers of drink driving are well documented, but the perils of being drunk in the home are not. Yet, as this research shows, the home can be a highly precarious place for somebody with impaired judgement."