You are in > manchester.com  > News > Insurer sheds light on 'Smith family average'

Finance

Insurer sheds light on 'Smith family average'

04/06/2008

Ten years' worth of data from insurance firm Norwich Union has provided a snapshot of the UK's average household.

The average couple in the UK live in a three-bed house called the Cottage on the High Street and holiday in Spain.

The typically drive a Ford Fiesta, live in a home built in 1946 and have the surname Smith.

On average the Smiths make a home insurance claim ever seven years and they value their personal belongings at £27,000.

Over 2007 the most common home insurance claims for a Hitachi television, Sandisk camera memory card, Toshiba laptop, Sony PlayStation, and Microsoft Xbox 360.

Simon Warsop, head of home at Norwich Union, said: "Our study provides a fascinating glimpse into the average British home in 2008.

"Contrary to popular belief, it reveals that we are a lot more traditional than we think we are. We are still enjoying holidays in Spain, we still live pretty close to our family and, yes, those wedding and baby pictures are still pride of place in our homes."

The insurer also looked at the UK's most prized possessions.

Some 36 per cent of people cited photographs as there dearest possession, while 20 per cent said computer or games console, and seven per cent said TV, DVD players or audio equipment.

However, across the sexes, 50 per cent of women said photos were their most prized possessions, compared with 21 per cent of men.

While 27 per cent of men treasured their computers or games systems, compared to 13 per cent of women.

Men were also more likely to say their record collections or audio/video equipment were their most prized possessions.