By Rachel Wait

Home insurance premiums have continued their upward journey over the past year thanks to an increasing number of weather claims and more thefts, according to the latest benchmark AA British Insurance Premium Index.

The Shoparound index, which is an average of the cheapest three premium quotes from a range of insurers for each "customer" in a nationwide basket of risks, shows that the average quote for annual buildings, contents and combined policies increased by up to 11% over 2011.

Over the last three months of 2011, buildings premiums were up 3.1% to £156.95 (from £152.18), an annual increase of 9.5%. Contents premiums increased 4.4% to £80.58 (from £77.21), an annual increase of 11.2%. And combined buildings and contents premiums rose 2.9% from £211.49, an annual increase of 5.6%.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, says: "Storm damage, flooding and burst pipes are top of insurers' list of worries, following two harsh winters and increasingly frequent severe weather."

On top of this, economic pressures "result in more thefts," he says. "According to the British Crime Survey, domestic burglary in England and Wales grew by 10% over the past 12 months to the end of June 2011."

As a result, the premium increases we've experienced over the past year reflect "both past losses and concern about future claims". Mr Douglas also believes premiums will continue to go up in 2012 but not sharply. Over the coming year, he expects them to go up between 5% and 10%.