Insurance experts warn Christmas gifts at risk as Brits fail to check insurance cover
Brits told to check their policies after new research reveals many will not protect their Christmas valuables
Go.Compare is urging Brits to review their home insurance this week as its latest research revealed that more than two-thirds (67%) do not plan to update their policy after buying their Christmas presents, potentially leaving expensive items unprotected.*
The findings follow one of the year’s biggest gifting periods, with many households receiving high-value presents such as jewellery, gadgets and designer accessories. Without checking policy limits, these items may not be fully insured, particularly if their value exceeds the policy’s single article limit.
What is a single article limit and why does it matter?
A single article limit is the maximum amount your insurer will pay out for any one item, unless that item has been individually listed on your policy. For example, if someone has a £2,000 camera stolen but their policy only has a £1,000 single article limit, they would only be able to claim up to £1,000 unless the camera was declared as a named high-value item.
Despite this, Go.Compare’s research shows that nearly one in four Brits (24%) say that won’t be updating their policy after purchasing their Christmas presents, as it isn’t worth the hassle. This oversight could turn an exciting Christmas present into a costly financial loss if something goes wrong.
Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Many people assume their contents insurance will automatically cover new Christmas gifts, but that is not always the case. If you have received or bought anything valuable this year – such as jewellery, a smartwatch, a new phone or an expensive camera – it is important to check your single article limit.
“This reminder is particularly timely. December and January are peak months for high-value purchases, and the darker winter months often see a rise in burglaries. Yet many people only discover their policy limits when it’s too late, at the point of making a claim.”
A full explanation of single article limits and how to check them is available here:
https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/contents-insurance/single-article-limit/
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,001 UK Nationally Representative Consumers aged 18+. The data was collected between 04.11.2025 – 07.11.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
67% combines ‘No, my policy limits are high enough to cover the cost of the presents I've bought’, ‘No, I don't think it's worth the hassle’, and ‘No, I don't want to pay any additional fees for my contents cover’.
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Front Door Communications at knock.knock@fdcomms.co.uk
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About Go.Compare
Go.Compare is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs.
It does not charge people to use its services and does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Go.Compare makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site.
When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
Go.Compare has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and works with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional policy information into a number of its insurance comparison services. This allows people to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.
Go.Compare is part of Future Plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More information can be found here www.gocompare.com or here https://www.futureplc.com/brands/.