How to avoid a Christmas catastrophe

Don't let the festive season turn into a disaster and an insurance claim, says TRICIA PHILLIPS

- TRICIA PHILLIPS

CHRISTMAS is coming and with it a whole raft of festive faux pas that can cause chaos and heartache and cost families dear.

Figures from Zurich UK show the insurer received almost 10,000 claims last Christmas - nearly half of those were for accidental damage.

These ranged from a candle setting fire to the dinner table to snowballs filled with stones smashing windows.

It's safe to say that last Christmas wasn't completely filled with cheer for everyone.

James Nicholson, UK chief claims officer at Zurich, says: "Many look forward to Christmas all year and plan meticulously so that they can make precious memories with their family. However, while we may like to think that the festivities will be full of magic, there are things you can't plan for.

"It's not just accidental damage claims we see at Christmas time more than one in 10 are for escape of water and burst pipes. Whatever the peril, make sure you take the same level of caution you would throughout the year to avoid any dampeners on Christmas celebrations."

While it's the season to be jolly, many households were left feeling like their tinsel was in a tangle after having to make a claim.

THE 12 CLAIMS OF CHRISTMAS

1. Burning the table, not the turkey

Just about to tuck into the turkey, one family Christmas dinner ended up quite heated as the candle in the centre piece caught fire causing over £10,000 worth of damage.

2. It's 'snow' joke when playtime is shattered

Everyone loves a good snowball fight. However, one policyholder was left with a broken window when they found out the hard way that there was a stone in their snowball, creating more than £1,600 worth of damage.

3. Tipples can topple