MetLife claims data has revealed a startling increase in claims for accidents such as fractures compared to pre-Covid levels.
Last month in an interview with head of individual protection Rich Horner, Health & Protection reported that MetLife was seeing the first signs of a return to normality due to an increase in claims for sports related activity.
And today the insurer has revealed claims for accidents have soared by 51% when compared to pre-Covid levels.
A total of 634 claims have been submitted in just one month totalling more than £400,000, while almost half of the claims submitted were for children (309 vs 328 for adults).
Separate MetLife data shows over a third of UK adults have taken up new hobbies in the past 12 months, with more than one in five Brits taking up at least one new hobby and one in eight taking up multiple hobbies.
Commenting on the data, Horner (pictured) noted many people took up new hobbies to keep themselves busy during lockdowns and restrictions, but added this came a degree of risk with the number of potential accidents sure to rise.
“Our data reveals some interesting trends,” he said.
“Claims for accidents, such as fractures, dropped significantly during the peak of the lockdowns, while claims for other illnesses – such as Covid-19 – rose significantly. But as lockdown lifted, so did the uptake in hobbies which could point to why we have now seen claims for fractures increase by 51%.
“As many enjoy their newfound interests, it’s important they consider having financial protection in place. It’s all too easy for accidents to happen at the worst moment, particularly as the UK begins to ease restrictions and individuals are set to return to normality in a matter of days.
“Many don’t think of the immediate impact an accident can have on finances and the family.”