Clumsy neighbours cost the nation £5 billion

• One in four people have had their property damaged by a neighbour
• Damage to shared walls or fences, accidents caused by their neighbour, their children or guests and un-kempt gardens are the main causes
• The average repair bill for damage caused by neighbours is £384
• But only 57 per cent of neighbours admitted to causing the damage and only 29 per cent paid for the repairs

More than a quarter (26 per cent) of Brits have had their homes damaged by neighbours, running up a collective repair bill of over £5 billion1, reveals new research2 from Direct Line Home Insurance.

According to the study, damage to shared walls or fencing was the most common issue, affecting over a third (34 per cent) of all those who have suffered damage to their home. Accidental damage caused by their neighbours,  their children or guests (27 per cent), damage by un-kempt gardens (25 per cent) and neighbours’ pest or vermin problems (24 per cent) were also common issues.

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance, 2014

The average repair bill for each of these incidents amounts to £384, however neighbours have been less than forthcoming when it comes to picking up the tab. Only 57 per cent of neighbours who caused the damage admitted to doing so, and even fewer (29 per cent) stumped up the cash to cover the costs.

Unsurprisingly, these accidental damages have also been the cause of many disputes between neighbours, with more than a third (34 per cent) of those who have had their home damaged by a neighbour falling out with them as a result.

Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line home insurance, commented: “It is not uncommon for homeowners to suffer damage to their property as a result of the actions of their neighbours. More often than not it’s accidental or unintended, but there can still be significant costs incurred and repair work required.

“Every eventuality is unlikely to be covered by a home insurance policy and asking a neighbour to foot the bill can often be awkward, so prevention is always better than cure. We would urge anyone who notices early signs of damage that may be caused by a neighbour to speak to them about it straight away and hopefully avoid a costly repair bill altogether.”

The issue of neighbours causing damage appears to be significantly worse in London and the South East, where over a third (36 per cent) have suffered damage to their property as a result of their neighbour’s actions. In the South East, the average cost of repairs amounts to £516, and in London, the equivalent figure is £434.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Charlotte Pascal

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 1021

E-mail: charlotte.pascal@citigatedr.co.uk

Claire Foster 
Direct Line PR Manager
Tel: 0165 183 1672
Mob: 07900 217 264
Email: claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. 26% of all UK adults surveyed have experienced damage to their home due to their neighbour = 26% * 50,371,000 (ONS UK adult population) = 13,259,499. Excluding don’t know and assuming each of the 26% experienced one incident of damage, the mean average cost to repair the damage comes to £384 and the median average comes to £73. The mean average * those who have experienced damage comes to £5,095,686,429 (5 billion), the median average * those who have experienced damage comes to £968,055,796 (1 billion).
2. Research commissioned by Direct Line and carried out by Opinium Research. Opinium interviewed a random sample of 2,002 adults aged 18+ in the UK online between 8th – 11th July 2014.  Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com