Inspect Your Gadgets Or You Could Be Caught Out

Gadgets are likely to dominate most of our Christmas lists this year despite the fact that many of us can never quite come to grips with the latest technology.

Research by home insurance provider Halifax shows that Brits spend £120 a year on gadgets that do little more than gather dust. While mobile phones, digital cameras, satellite navigation systems and MP3 players dominate our 'most wanted' list, many of us will simply leaving them lying on a shelf and forget all about them.

However, letting them slip our mind when it comes to home insurance can be a big mistake.

Many people fail to check to see whether these items, which are often expensive, are covered under the terms of their home insurance policies. This could leave them underinsured in the event of damage or loss.

Before buying, customers should check their home insurance policies for the technological equipment covered. Most policies will cover TVs, stereos and DVD players but you may need to specifically add cover for 'home office equipment' such as computers and fax machines. Remember to check the level of cover in place for each item.

It's also worth checking the personal possessions aspect of a policy. This should state whether items are covered when they are taken out of the home - such as mobile phones and digital cameras. Some policies will only cover you for leisure use outside the home - you may need specific business cover if you plan to use the items frequently for work purposes.

Remember to keep on top of the overall sum insured too. Unless you have unlimited contents cover, you'll need to monitor the value of the items brought into your home over the Christmas period to ensure you're suitably covered.

Many home insurance providers now automatically increase cover for the month of December, often by 10- to 15 per cent. You can compare home insurance online with a comparison website to find the level of coverage you require.