Households urged to increase insurance cover

Householders are being advised to increase their level of contents insurance ahead of the Christmas period.

American Express reports British consumers spend more than £17 billion on Christmas presents , with each spending an average of £378.

However, the festive period is popular with burglars, according to Joanne Field, marketing manager at American Express Insurance Services.

Ms Field said that Christmas provides new opportunities for thieves who realise that homes are likely to contain a number of new items.

We would encourage all householders to review the level of home contents insurance cover is adequate every year, particularly around the Christmas and new year period, she commented.

In related news, recent research by Halifax Credit Cards found that the average consumer buys 18 presents at Christmas.

While one in ten people begin their festive shopping in September, the firm noted that one in 20 start buying gifts in January.