One in Five Households Do Not Have Home Contents Insurance Reveals Swinton Insurance

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - Nearly a fifth of households in the UK do not have home contents insurance according to a survey by Swinton Insurance.

The UK's leading high street retailer of home insurance surveyed 2,573 online customers and found that 18% do not have contents insurance.

The respondents gave a variety of reasons as to why they do not have cover, which leaves households exposed to large replacement costs if they lose items through theft or damage.

The top four reasons for not having any insurance in place are:

--  Too expensive (45%) --  Haven't got round to it (32%) --  It is not a legal requirement (16%) --  Too complicated (7%)  

The average value of a household's home contents is around Pounds Sterling 28,000(i) which is mostly made up of clothes, furniture, gadgets and other valuable possessions. This figure would be likely to increase if a household kept antiques or art collections. However, the total value of home contents can be protected easily by paying a small premium each month.

Swinton offer competitive rates for both building and contents insurance. For the month of May, the average content insurance premium sold was Pounds Sterling 119.94 per annum.

Swinton has offered some tips for evaluating home contents:

--  Do not overlook anything, such as hoovers, mirrors, luggage, musical     instruments, expensive wine, flooring, camping equipment and exercise     equipment, which can be easily forgotten. --  Inform your insurer of any changes to the value of your contents     straight away i.e. if you buy a new TV or bike. --  Do not forget the contents in the garden such as sheds and tools, which     could be expensive to replace. --  Do not over-estimate your contents, as this could result in unnecessary     expensive premiums.  

Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton said, "Although contents insurance isn't compulsory and is seen as non-essential by many, it is still very important to protect your belongings from damage and theft. What seems like a saving now could be very costly in the long run.

(i)Daily Telegraph 02.06.10

About Swinton

--  With 580 branches nationwide Swinton is the UK's largest high street     insurance retailer --  Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton     is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the     community --  Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of     its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike     and even classic car insurance --  With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a     panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates.  

Contacts:
SKV Communications
Anoushka Done, Anna Asamoah or Mairead Rodden
0161 838 7770
www.skvcommunications.co.uk/