THE KITCHEN IS THE NEW LOUNGE - INSURERS WARN OF UNDERINSURANCE RISK

People splash more cash on their kitchens than any other room in the home, according to a new survey by insurer Cornhill Direct.

The survey asked 2,750 people to add up the contents of their kitchen and the average figure came to a staggering £22,410.53

The cost of the kitchen units averaged out at just over £18,000, but a further £4,410.53 will be splashed out on the latest must-have gadgets such as grill machines, smoothie makers and chocolate fountains. Over half of respondents keep a TV or radio in the kitchen.

Despite the ongoing financial outlay needed to make sure kitchens are up to show home standards, only one in four of the people surveyed said they had ever thought about re-calculating the value of their kitchen for insurance purposes.

Mark Bishop, spokesman for Cornhill Direct, said: “Over time, people accumulate more and more items in their homes and the average kitchen is now full of expensive kit.

“We know that most people underestimate how much they have spent filling their homes. When people do sit down and calculate how much they have spent on the contents of their homes it normally comes as quite a shock.

“It’s important that householders check they have the right level of contents insurance cover.”

The people surveyed revealed they spend, on average, £749.47 on a good oven unit, and just under a thousand pounds on a fridge freezer – with 14 per cent of people choosing the increasingly popular SMEG.

On average, just over £600 is spent on a washing machine, £199.26 on a microwave and £278.81 on a set of saucepans.

Most people own electrical items such as a food processor (average cost £150), a blender (£65), a toaster and kettle (collectively worth £180.92), a sandwich maker (£40) and a grill machine (£100).

TOP 10 MUST- HAVE KITCHEN ACCESSORIES

1. Coffee maker
   
2. Food processor
   
3. Blender
   
4. Smoothie maker
   
5. Wine rack
   
6. Espresso machine
   
7. Sandwich maker
   
8. Cafetiere
   
9. Grill machine
   
10. Chocolate fountain

Article by Cornhill Insurance