As the country moves closer towards the festive season, Norwich and Peterborough has insisted that taking out damage cover can help people to make sure that Christmas catastrophes are avoided.

The group explained that by making sure a policy is put in place, people can rest assured that they will not be put out in the cold financially following a range of festive faux pas. For example, the group noted that damage cover can provide quick cash to meet the costs of repair should a homeowner put their foot through the floor of the attic while digging out the decorations for another year. For those who lack protection, they could be forced to pay for the work using a home improvement loan or by dipping into their savings.

Meanwhile, it also noted that robust home insurance is particularly important during the festive season because roaming burglars will expect houses to be filled with all manner of expensive presents, increasing the likelihood that people will be broken into. In an effort to discourage thieves from entering, the group urged homeowners to keep their gifts out of sight from prying eyes until the big day.

Norwich and Peterborough also advised people to check the terms of their home insurance to make sure they are covered in the event of freezer breakdown. It noted that with chillers packed with food for the Christmas dinner, Britons could find themselves considerably put out by the costs of replacing such items should their freezer give up the ghost.

Steve Kendall, sales and operations director for Norwich and Peterborough Insurance Brokers, added: “Its an important time of year to check the small print of your insurance policy. Spilling mulled wine on your favourite carpet would be stressful enough, but finding out that your policy doesnt cover you because it was accidental damage would be even more stressful. If you have a household accident over the festive period, immediately make any temporary repairs necessary to make your home weatherproof and secure, but retain receipts as the cost may well form part of your claim.”

He continued by urging people to make sure that their cover provider offered 24-hour telephone assistance services every day of the year to avoid feeling stranded financially during the holiday. Preparations such as these were described as key to ensuring that any mishaps that do occur do not deflate festive cheer and unwrap peoples finances at the same time.

“Accidents happen, but its having the right measures in place to deal with them that counts,” he concluded.

For those who are worried about their ability to cover the costs of Christmas during a difficult economic period, taking out a low-rate personal loan may prove an effective way to buy presents for loved ones and ensure that fridges are well stocked ahead of the big day. So too, a cheap loan could boost home insurance cover to make sure that finances are not put in jeopardy as a result of calamitous Christmas events.

While people may be keen to boost their cover in times of economic woe, the Motley Fool has recently urged people to avoid wasting valuable cash on useless redundancy cover which offers little usable protection.

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