Experts warn of menace of hot tubs as accidental damage claims almost TREBLE in a year 

What a bubbly nuisance! Experts warn of menace of hot tubs as accidental damage claims almost TREBLE in a year

  • Accidental damage claims for hot tubs shot up by 188 per cent alone in 2019
  • Insurance claims Aviva has seen include grass strimmers slicing through them 
  • The insurer has also seen claims of engagement rings ripping the hot tub lining 

Many people have invested in inflatable hot tubs to escape the stresses of lockdown on bubbling jets of warm water.

But their therapeutic qualities could be vastly overstated – if insurance claims are anything to go by.

Among the blood pressure-raising hot tub mishaps Aviva has seen are grass strimmers slicing through them, engagement rings ripping the lining and birds pecking holes in covers.

Many people have invested in inflatable hot tubs to escape the stresses of lockdown on bubbling jets of warm water [File photo]

They proved such a nuisance last year that the insurer said accidental damage claims for hot tubs shot up by 188 per cent in 2019.

Aviva added that accidental damage claims for items dropped in or knocked off the side of hot tubs in the UK have also increased in recent years, with mobile phones topping the list of items taking the plunge and hearing aids, watches and tablets also being toppled.

Aviva added that accidental damage claims for items dropped in or knocked off the side of hot tubs in the UK have also increased in recent years [File photo]

Aviva added that accidental damage claims for items dropped in or knocked off the side of hot tubs in the UK have also increased in recent years [File photo]

The insurance giant said it also received a small number of claims for stolen hot tubs.

In many of these cases, deflated spas were stolen from garages and outbuildings, although some brazen thieves took hot tubs directly from customers’ gardens.

Kelly Whittington, property claims director for Aviva said: ‘Many people bought hot tubs in 2020, while others took their spas out of storage, so they could enjoy holidays at home.

‘Unfortunately this appears to have led to all manner of mishaps, both with the hot tubs themselves and items dropped in them.

‘Many residents will be staying in the UK again this year, so hot tubs and garden accessories are likely to be very popular again. While it’s great that people are enjoying themselves at home, we’d encourage them to take care when using and storing their hot tubs, as well as being cautious with anything used around them.

‘As our data reveals, a short lapse of concentration can easily lead to an unfortunate incident.

‘Now is also a good opportunity for people to review their home insurance, to make sure it meets their needs. Accidental damage cover is an optional add-on with many policies and can provide peace of mind against those moments of misfortune.’