At least a fifth of homeowners in the UK succumb to pressure from mortgage lenders to take out home insurance cover from them, new research has found.

According to the study by Gocompare.com, whereas about 19 per cent of homeowners admitted to buying the insurance policy based on its quality and good value, 12 per cent claimed they were pressured into purchasing the cover.

One-third of respondents also said they took out the policy because they felt it was more convenient for them to do so.

However, chief executive of Gocompare.com, Hayley Parsons said that as the cover was provided by the same lender it could be the most competitive deal. But she reminded that people were under no commitment to buy the cover from their lender.

“There can be a danger of pressure selling when margins on the loan itself are so small, but customers need to know that they are under no obligation to buy buildings and contents cover from their lender,” Ms Parsons explained.