One in four without home contents insurance

Around 25 per cent of the population risk being out of pocket by not taking out home contents insurance to cover their possessions, according to the Association of British of British Insurers (ABI).

Although prospective homeowners are obliged to buy buildings insurance as a pre-requisite for obtaining a mortgage, there is no such compulsion for contents insurance.

It is feared the poorest sectors of the community are most at risk, with only 44 per cent buying any contents insurance.

Kelly Ostler, a spokesperson for the ABI, went on to say that because building insurance premiums can be high, contents tends to be neglected, although costs can vary dramatically depending on where you live.

As she explained: "If every house on your street has been burgled six times then your premium will be reflected accordingly...it depends on what type of crime goes on in your area as well; some crime might be car crime so it would affect your motoring premium instead of your household insurance."

In 2005/06 there were 300,555 recorded burglary offences in England and Wales.

Criminal damage to a dwelling, which is recorded separately, amounted to 299,384 in the same period.

15/10/2007 08:10:29