Sod's Law may have achieved mythical status but the reality brings misery to many homeowners forced to collectively fork out hundreds of millions to cover the cost of damage, a new survey claims.

Brits have paid out over £600,000 million to rectify a Sod's Law situation which can strike at any time to upset even the most carefully organised plans, according to research from DirectLine Home Response 24.

But it is most likely to strike on a Monday, meaning that many start the week on the wrong foot.

Almost a third of people have had to put their hand in their pocket for repairs whilst a quarter of people have spent at least £200 when things have gone wrong at the worst possible moment – whether this is getting locked out of the house in freezing temperatures or having a power cut when getting ready for a big date.

Two thirds of people said their worst nightmare would be returning to a flooded house after they had just spent money decorating, whilst 62 per cent of people feared their boiler breaking down on a really cold day. A further 44 per cent dreaded being locked out of the house in the freezing cold.

A third of those questioned also said that they had suffered a home disaster which they put down to Sod's Law within the last week.

Direct Line head of home insurance Andrew Lowe said: "Home emergency situations at any time can be stressful and costly, especially when they happen at the worst possible moment, which they invariably do. Not only do they ruin plans but they can also be a hassle and take a while to put right.

"As this research proves Sod's Law really does exist. For peace of mind, it is worth taking out the appropriate insurance to cover emergency repair work."