Unwrap the right cover this Christmas

With Christmas only a few weeks away moneysupermarket.com urges Brits to check the small print of their home insurance now to ensure Christmas gifts are covered.

Research from the UK's leading price comparison site reveals the majority of insurers will automatically increase the amount your home contents covers over the festive season, usually by 10 per cent or more and at no extra cost. For example, the AA automatically increases contents cover by 20 per cent from 1 December to 6 January. On the other hand Halifax offers unlimited contents insurance at all times. However, not all providers are as generous; Endsleigh does not offer free top up to standard policies - potentially leaving homeowners underinsured during Christmas - the most expensive time of the year.

Andy Leadbetter, managing director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "We're all feeling the financial pinch at the moment, but Christmas often brings out the generous streak in people. Insurance is probably the last thing on people's minds as festivities take over but with expensive gifts and gadgets aplenty this is a prime time for opportunistic thieves to strike. Ensuring you have adequate contents cover is crucial - otherwise Brits might be in for a bout of the New Year blues."

Research also shows the length of ‘top up' periods vary; Quinn Direct for example will uplift cover by 10 per cent for December only, whereas the 10 per cent additional cover from American Express lasts until 15 January. High value single items such as jewellery may need to be listed individually on a policy as insurers often impose limits of £1000 or £2000 for expensive items. Popular accessories such as iPods may also need itemising on a policy for being covered as possessions away from the home.

Andy Leadbetter continued: "With so many variations between insurers on seasonal uplift checking the small print with a fine-toothed comb is always a must, especially to safe guard from being underinsured. For example, if you have £45,000 worth of contents in your home but are only insured for £30,000, your insurer might only pay two thirds of a claim, even if it is for less than £30,000. Having to spend hard earned to cash to top up an insurance pay out is an unnecessary post-Christmas headache, especially as it only takes one phone call to increase your cover - possibly saving a great deal of time and money in the long run."