SGIO insurance, part of the IAG group, is calling for gamers in Western Australia to be careful after research showed a third have accidentally lost control of their remote or controller while playing an electronic game causing damage to property (based on Pure Profile Research, January 2010).
SGIO said, “With 50 per cent of WA residents now spending up to five hours per week gaming and, having seen a number of claims, safe gaming had become an emerging insurance issue.”
SGIO spokesperson Rob Cory said injuries from gaming like numb thumbs and shoulder strains were almost worn with pride amongst gamers, but causing damage to property in the home like the TV or even mum’s favourite vase wouldn’t go down well with the parents.
“Almost 30 per cent of people have damaged property in their home as a result of losing control of their gaming remote. And yet, despite this, almost 60 per cent of us admit to not always strapping our remote to our wrist,” said Mr Cory.
Mr Cory said the research also proved Gen Y to be WA’s most avid gamers and said that one in four admitted to getting so frustrated while playing games that they had thrown their controller across the room.
“In most cases people are probably getting overly excited and losing control of their remote; however we did find a considerable percentage of young gamers throwing their controller out of frustration,” said Mr Cory.
“Electronic games can provide hours of fun, but we just ask that people try to avoid damage in the home by staying aware and following some simple safety advice.
“We’d also suggest that people with a gaming console take up the option of accidental damage on their insurance policy so their contents are covered,” said Mr Cory.
Mr Cory offered gamers (and parents of gamers), the following tips:
- when possible, make sure you follow the console’s advice and strap your remote to your wrist to avoid breaking the new TV or even mum’s favourite vase;
- ensure all electrical cords are secured to the wall or swept well away from the area in front of the TV, to prevent anyone from tripping over them; and
- stay calm – don’t take your frustration or enthusiasm out on your controller or remote.
Information sourced and edited from SGIO website. SGIO forms part of the Insurance Australia Group (IAG).
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