Homeowners warned to insure their most bizarre valuables

Consumers who have individual possessions which are either high-risk or high-worth- however strange the item -should look to have them listed on their home insurance policies, says Confused.com.

Any item over £1000 can be listed as well as any high-risk item, such as laptops, TVs and hi-tech stereos. Expensive furniture and costly jewellery are some of the more usual items insured by homeowners, but more unusual items must not be overlooked:

Can you tell what it is yet? Home policies for expensive works of art

If his work is good enough for the Queen, it is good enough to be displayed on the walls of lower- key abodes. A Rolf Harris original was recently declared under the high-risk items category; little wonder, as his artwork is valued at up to £55,000.

Don't forget those gold-dust accessories

Insuring Manolo shoe collections is understandable, but listing a ‘work uniform' as being worth a whopping £5,000 is far less comprehensible.

Most worrying of all, perhaps, is the ‘disco-dancing costume' worth £1,200 which is lurking in the wardrobe of an applicant with a particularly bad case of Saturday Night Fever.

And another thing...

A crocodile skull and a £10,000 collection of meteorites, along with £3,000 of lace bobbins, a 25lb stuffed, mounted salmon, and a magic lantern are some of the more unusual collections which have been insured.

Darren Black, head of home insurance at Confused.com, says: "Whether it is a collection of beautiful jewellery, or something more unusual like a crocodile skull which is priceless to its owner, it is important to take out the right level of home insurance, to make sure that it is fully covered. Some of the more unusual items will often be more sentimental than expensive, but it is always worth protecting them from damage, as well as from theft. If the items are proving to be difficult to value, and did not come with a valid valuation certificate or receipt, it is worth checking with the insurance company to make sure that the item is not under or over-valued.

"Either way, it is imperative to make sure that home insurers are aware of these valuables, as they may not always be covered under standard home insurance policies. If it is necessary to take out specialist cover, it is important to shop around for the best deals. Comparison sites provide a one-stop-shop for consumers who can search the market, and receive a competitive quote in minutes."