Soccer fans go crazy, driving up insurance claims

With the FIFA World Cup starting later this month, U.K. insurer Aviva PLC is hoping not to see a repeat of its experience during the last tournament when soccer-related claims increased 82%.

According to an Aviva statement, the enthusiasm for the sport during the 2018 World Cup led to home insurance claims that averaged £530 ($615).

Claims incidents included a laptop falling into a bath while a customer watched a game, a boy burning a carpet while trying to dry his soccer kit with a hairdryer and a drone being downed by a soccer ball kicked into the air.

One customer added to the problem when they left their phone in a taxi when riding home from a game and the driver refused to return it saying the customer did not leave a big enough tip.

“Accidental damage cover is usually available as an add-on to home insurance. It can offer protection for home buildings and contents against unexpected incidents such as a spillage on a carpet or a football crashing into a television,” the statement said.