Home insurance warning over cover levels

British people are not taking out enough home insurance to cover their belongings, according to new research.

A study by AXA reveals that the average home insurance policy protects around £29,000 worth of possessions, but the average value placed on the contents of a property is almost £38,000.

Nick Kidd, head of household insurance at the firm, warned that this could leave people struggling to replace items if the worst happens.

He said: When taking out home contents insurance , it's absolutely vital you have a clear idea of what your possessions cost.

If people do not take out enough cover, they could invalidate their home insurance altogether, Mr Kidd warned.

People should keep receipts for major purchases and take photos of their most valuable items, the home insurance expert added.

Last week, Moneysupermarket.com announced that it has updated the home insurance section of its website.