A major home insurance firm has revealed that home cover claims increase dramatically during the school summer holidays.

According to the group, there was a "significant" rise in the number of home claims it received during July and August 2008.

With many families opting to stay at home rather than take a more expensive holiday abroad due to the financial downturn, the problem could worsen this year.

The company advised homeowners to keep an extra eye on their children this holiday, as main claims involve damaged carpets and furniture, broken electrical wires and smashed windows.

Steve Chelton, the insurer development manager at the insurance group said: "The summer holidays is a long period of time to keep children entertained.

"School holidays dramatically increase the risk of an accident in the home and we would urge parents to check their home insurance policy to ensure they are covered."

Mr Chelton added that, although accidental damage generally covers many household goods, it is worth increasing it to cover other accidents, such as carpet spillages.

Which insurance is best?

Therefore, with parents tearing their hair out trying to keep their child entertained during the summer break and also finding the best insurance cover, insurers have advised property owners to consider purchasing split policies.

Home insurance firms have stated that buying a combined home and contents insurance policy from one provider is often not the best deal for consumers.

An insurance group stated that purchasing cover from two different insurers often works out best as it is more cost-effective than buying a joint policy. The insurer warned property owners to not be 'duped' into buying one policy due to 'special discounts' on combined deals.

According to a study, which compared almost 25,000 quotes for 750 imaginary consumers, four in 10 people would save money from using different providers; although this increased t nearly six in 10 when promotional discounts were taken out of the experiment.

Simon Douglas, the director of AA Insurance, explained that "even if you get a great price on buildings, the same insurer won't necessarily offer the best deal for contents (or vice versa)".

He added: "However, it is important that buyers don't just check prices but policy benefits too, to ensure they are comparing on a like-for-like basis."

The company also warned that many homeowners purchase the policy offered to them by their mortgage provider and never change, meaning they could be missing out on better deals.

London content insurance

For those living in London, having to worry about what types of policies they should buy, may no longer be a problem.

Due to an increase in burglaries and arson attacks, Londoners on low incomes could soon have access to cheap contents insurance.

A new scheme being launched by the Association of British Insurers (ABI,) is being set up for those who live in social or council housing and will allow them more tenant insurance choices.

Nick Starling, ABI's director of general insurance and health, said that many Londoners are unable to access insurance, which "makes it difficult for them to plan for the future, and leaves them at the mercy of unwelcome events, such as burglary".

He added: "Helping landlords provide tenants insurance will ensure that many unprotected and vulnerable Londoners have the financial protection they need."