January 2005

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Staying in is the new going out for Britons

EMBARGOED UNTIL SATURDAY 8TH JANUARY 2005

‘STAYING IN’ IS THE NEW ‘GOING OUT’ FOR BRITONS
- People in the UK are increasingly turning to their homes as a source of entertainment and a sanctuary from the stress of modern living -

- 41% of Britons are spending every evening at home according to research by MORE TH>N home insurance1.
- Only 13% of people in the UK go out every Saturday night1.
- The new ’staying in’ culture is driving people to spend more money on home improvement and home entertainment.
- A typical home’s contents are worth £44,5002.

People in the UK are spending less time at the cinema or down the pub socialising and more time socialising at home according to research by leading home insurer MORE TH>N. Just over a third of us spend every night in the home, and six out of ten of Britons go out on a Saturday night only once a month or less.

Londoners are the most likely region to spend a Saturday night in a bar or restaurant with a quarter of Londoners going out every week whereas people in Northern Ireland and Wales prefer the sofa at home, with only 4% and 8% respectively going out every Saturday night. People that go out the least, spend the most on home improvement, outside London and the Southeast.

Region Percentage of people that ‘go out’ every Saturday night. Average amount that will be spent on home improvement this year.
London 24% £4,604
South East England 12% £5,512
Midlands 11% £3,611
Scotland 11% £3,297
North East England 10% £3,563
North West England 10% £3,991
South West England 8% £4,694
Wales 8% £4,741
Northern Ireland 4% £5,435

This new ’staying in’ culture is driving increasing spending on home improvement and entertainment systems within the home. Many people in the UK have set up home cinemas with plasma screen televisions, satellite television and DVD players. Over 7 million homes have Sky channels and 3.3 million have cable channels3.

Many Britons are jumping on the home makeover bandwagon, spending an average of £4,362 per year on improving the inside of the home. Replacing goods within the home such as televisions and gadgets is also becoming more frequent as we strive to have the latest model driving up the value we spend on our home.

Graham Hollebon, Head of Personal Finance for MORE TH>N “We are living increasingly busier lives making our spare time more precious. From our research it appears there’s a growing trend to spend this time entertaining ourselves at home rather then on traditional activities such as going down the pub or visiting the cinema.

“As a result we’re spending more money on home improvement and entertainment systems which in turn is driving up the value of our possessions. A typical home now has contents worth £44,500, which is a 50% increase in the last decade. It is important to make sure you have enough cover for these possessions to avoid being under-insured.”

- Ends

Notes To Editor:
1. 2,500 homeowners were surveyed on www.whatmortgage.co.uk in July 2004.
2. Contents inside of a typical home estimated at £44,447, based on research by MORE TH>N and Centre for Economics and Business Research.

3. Digital Television Update Q3 2004, Office of Communications.

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 its 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.

MORE TH>N is the direct financial services arm of Royal & SunAlliance. It offers motor, home, pet, travel and life insurance as well as a credit card via the internet and by phone.

For further information:
Alison McCulloch
PR Consultant
MORE TH>N
020 7337 5728

MORE TH>N is a registered trademark of Royal and SunAlliance Insurance Group plc and a trading style of Royal & SunAlliance Insurance plc (No.93792). Registered in England and Wales at St Mark’s Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority and a Member of the General Insurance Standards Council.

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