1978

2002 (owned by 89% of households)

24 years

Home PC

1980

2002 (owned by 54% of households)

22 years

Recent

DVD Player

1995

2005 (owned by 80% of people)

10 years

Digital camera

1995

2005 (owned by 52% of people)

10 years

Now

Plasma TV

1995

2005 (owned by 10% of people)

10 years

Videophone

2005 (owned by 25% of people)

3 years

iPod

2001

2005 (owned by 10% of people)

4 years

David Pitt, Head of Insurance at MORE TH>N comments: “Our research has found that young Brits are driving the revolution in spending on technology, with the average 16-24 year old owning over £5,000 worth of gadgets, such as games consoles, video phones, MP3 players and digital cameras. As the majority of this group may be in full time education or living with their parents it could be that ‘pester power’ has come into force, with parents having to fork out for expensive goods.”

Nearly half (45%) of under 24 year olds will buy the latest gadget as soon as it comes out or when they can afford it: 20% of young people own an iPod and 68% own a digital camera. Young Londoners lead the way with almost twice the national average owning videophones (48%), plasma televisions (24%) and iPods (29%).

Pitt continues, “As this research

MORE TH>N provides peace of mind with £60,000 automatic cover for home contents so that customers are not left underinsured. Personal possessions cover can also be added on for an average of £30 per annum so that the items carried around on a daily basis will be covered against loss and theft.

Notes:

• Research by TNS on behalf of MORE TH>N interviewed 1014 adults 16+ in August 2005.
• Research by the Centre of Economics and Business Research for MORE TH>N in August 2005.

• £60,000 contents cover as standard (higher limits available on request).
• Up to £7,500 High Risk items cover for those valuable, more likely to be stolen possessions such as PCs, TVs, Cameras, Jewellery and Art (higher limits available on request).
• ‘New for old’ replacement of damaged or stolen goods.
• 24 hr Emergency Helpline – freephone support and advice available when it’s needed, 365 days a year.
• Up to £150 Emergency Repairs benefit – we will arrange for a competent and experienced contractor to make the repairs – also includes emergency overnight accommodation.
• Children’s College cover – as part of our standard cover, if a child is still living at home, their belongings in their college accommodation are protected (up to 15% of the sum insured).
• Moving Home cover - when moving home belongings are covered against loss or damage as long as professional removal contractors are used.
• Discounts for homeowners with security alarms, British Standard door and window locks and members of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.