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Make sure you get the right level of cover and avoid paying for insurance you do not need. Many firms offer blanket cover at, say, £40,000 but if you don’t need that much, don’t waste your cash. Calculate accurate sums on belongings and the cost of rebuilding.

Good security such as window locks, alarms and decent door locks will cut the risk of theft and some insurers will offer discounts. But before you add any security measures, check with your insurer that they are approved products. Some types of locks will reduce premiums more than others.

Keep an eye on the maximum a policy will pay out on a single item – this is typically between £1,500 and £2,500 – to ensure your most precious belongings are fully covered.

Many people take out cover for gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets but sometimes home insurance policy will cover it cheaper than getting separate policies.

Taking out buildings and contents cover with the same insurer can help cut the cost.