Some of the DIY disasters carried out by Brits have caused such sufficient damage that one in 10 have had to claim on their home insurance in order to recoup the costs of their mishaps, according to research from Confused.com.

The survey found that men are more likely than women to be accident-prone, with one in five admitting to causing DIY disasters, compared to just eight per cent of women.

However, when it comes to the level of damage caused by DIY efforts gone wrong, women are reportedly more ‘catastrophic’ than men, with the average insurance claim for women standing at £758.58 each, compared to £556.36 for the average male who decides to do it himself.

“The summer often brings out the DIY enthusiast in all of us, but it is important to remember to take safety precautions when undertaking home improvement jobs, however small they may seem” said Simon Lamble, product director at Confused.com.

“With a whopping six million people having confessed to DIY disasters and more than half a million having to claim on their home insurance as a result, it is important to remain savvy at all times. A simple drilling job could turn into an extremely expensive claim if electrical wiring, for example, is not taken into account.” he said.

According to Halifax General Insurance, the most common DIY mishap around the home is falling off ladders, which can involve paint falling on carpets or damaging other things on the way down.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that other common disasters which cause damage include slips and falls, and the use of power tools.

Confused.com recommends that households compare home insurance policies to ensure that their mishaps will be covered. This is especially important in the summer months, Mr Lamble added, “when DIY becomes one of the nation’s favourite pastimes.”

© Fair Investment Company Ltd