General Insurance Article - UK home insurance premiums likely to fall this year

 Home insurers in the UK are on course for their best results in two decades. 

 James Rakow, insurance partner at Deloitte, said:

 “The weather in the first nine months of 2013 has been benign with relatively few storms and floods, and home insurers are on course to enjoy one of the best years for claims since 1994.

 “Although bad weather swept across the country over Christmas, the numbers of claims are unlikely to significantly affect home insurers’ results.

 “In the first nine months of 2012, insurers paid out for more than 1.5m* claims. In the first nine months of this year, they paid out for 1.2m claims – that’s a reduction of 23%. If there are no major floods or storms in the first few months of 2014, it is quite feasible that premiums could fall by at least 5%.

 “A typical household spends about £250 on buildings and contents insurance and savings could be even greater if consumers shop around for the best deals.”

 * Source: Association of British Insurers