Football related claims increased by 82% during 2018 World Cup

• Football fanatics urged to play it safe in lead up to tournament
• Previous claims included damage from balls, boots and even drying football shirts
• The average value of a football-related claim was around £530

Football fans are being warned to keep their eye on the ball, with household breakages on the cards in the lead up to the World Cup.

Aviva reveals accidental damage claims where football played a part increased by 82% during the last men’s football World Cup in 2018.

Electronic equipment, windows and soft furnishings regularly fell foul of kickabouts and celebrations during matches.

Other incidents included football kits being scorched by tumble dryers, feet being kicked through hallway walls, footballs to the face breaking glasses and a laptop falling into a bath tub while a customer watched a game. These football-related claims had an average value of around £530.

Youngsters were behind many of these claims; one customer’s son attempted to dry his football kit by giving it the hairdryer treatment, burning several holes in their living room carpet in the process. Another child kicked a football into their dad’s expensive watch, causing it to break.

Other football-related claims included:

• A crystal collection – including a rare Cinderella figurine – was smashed by a football.
• One customer’s little boy threw his football boots at his brother, missing him completely so they smashed through their front door.
• Making a game-time snack of popcorn, a customer placed a hot pan onto their worktop, scorching the surface.
• A football kicked up into the air smashed a customer’s drone, breaking it as it fell to the floor.
• A football was kicked into a swimming pool, damaging the pool cover mechanism, preventing it from closing.
• One customer went to watch a match and left their phone in their taxi ride home. The driver wouldn’t return it as he claimed they didn’t leave a big enough tip. 

Kelly Whittington, UK Property Claims Director for Aviva says: “Our claims provide a unique insight into how people get involved with the World Cup. During a big competition, it seems adults and children are keen to have a kickabout and show off their ball skills. And when a match takes place, they’re ready to celebrate – or commiserate, depending on the result.

“As a football fan, I completely understand the excitement and emotions that surround a big tournament – but we’d encourage people to go steady, particularly around any windows or electrical items, so they don’t find themselves scoring an own goal!”

Authored by Aviva