Faster Gadget Entry



30th September 2005 Gadgets today are becoming mass-market in almost half the time they did a few decades ago, according to the MORE TH>N Home Contents Index. Huge fall in cost of electrical items and rise in disposable income mean consumers can get more technology for the same money. 22% of young people own an iPod and 68% own a digital camera. 1

Plummeting costs and rising wealth in the UK have led to electrical items becoming mass market in half the time they did 20 or 30 years ago, according to the MORE TH>N Home Contents Index.

It took 15 years for 85% of UK households to have a colour television and 20 years for 89% of households to get a video recorder. 2 Today’s favourite gadgets are entering most homes much quicker: 80% of people now own a DVD, just ten years since they were first produced, and already 10% have iPods just four years after launch. The average Briton today owns gadgets worth £4,600 1 as they fill their homes with the latest plasma screens, DVD players, MP3 players and digital cameras.

Disposable income increased by more than 78.3% between 1987 and 2004 while the price of Audio-Visual Equipment fell by 76.1% in the same period. This has made like-for like audio-visual equipment more affordable, while technological advances mean consumers are often able to upgrade when they make new purchases.

Wednesday Nights Cost 127m
Martin Scott, Head of Home Insurance, says:. Make sure the windows are securely locked in rooms that are not in use. “Burglaries can obviously occur at any time but a few simple precautions can make a real difference. insurance home Read more...

First time buyers warned
insurance home Phil Loney, managing director Lloyds TSB Insurance, said:. Make sure you check door and window locks meet insurers' minimum requirements and if you're concerned, it may be worth replacing the front door locks. With figures showing that young people and homes without security measures are most at risk, those moving for the first time should pay particular attention to securing their properties. Have an intruder alarm fitted. Read more...

Brits with property abroad set to double, reveals new research from Barclays.
That's why we offer a range of products to help Brits manage their finances and property efficiently when they are living abroad." Barclays has the largest presence of any UK Bank in the European mortgage market and serves non resident mortgage customers through its operations in Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. Thanks to rates negotiated by Barclays, Brits can save as much as 20% on the cost of a complete property evaluation within 7 working days by leading specialists. insurance home Read more...

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.
Home contents insurance from MORE TH>N includes:
£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.