An estimated £266bn worth of household possessions across the UK are not insured against risks such as theft, fire, flooding and accidental damage, according to insurers. The calculations were made by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which said the average UK household contains £35,000 worth of possessions. The ABI said the typical contents of a home are worth more than the average annual salary, which stands at £27,000. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras. The total value of possessions owned by all UK households are now worth an estimated £950bn - which is more than the combined value of all homes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, at £630bn, the ABI said. But more than a quarter (28 per cent) of households do not have home contents insurance - meaning around £266bn worth of possessions could be at risk according to the ABI, which based its calculations on the Office for National Statistics' Wealth and Assets Survey. The ABI said the average cost of home contents insurance, at £141 a year, works out at less than £3 a week, with combined buildings and contents policies costing under £6 per week typically. The figures will feature in an ABI report released during its annual conference on 27 February. Mark Shepherd, head of property at the ABI, said it can be easy for people to underestimate the worth of all their household gadgets and other contents. He continued: "With a wide variety of policies available, including no-frills policies tailored to people on limited budgets, insuring your possessions can mean that if the worst happens you are not left counting the cost for years to come”. Mr Shepherd said people should ensure that when their policy is due for renewal they review the value of their possessions to make sure they are adequately covered. PA
Household assets worth up to £ 266bn ( $ 370bn ) are being left uninsured in the UK , according to new figures . The Association of Home Insurance ( ABI ) estimates the total value of possessions in UK homes is around £ 950bn , but more than a quarter of households have no contents insurance . The Association says the average home in the UK has contents worth $ 35,000 , but many people underestimate what their possessions are worth . It points out the average cost of home contents insurance is just £ 141 a year .