Despite the current economic crisis, a number of reports have stated that a great amount of Brits are intending to travel abroad this year.

However, as a number of Brits make plans to spend their summer holidays anywhere other than their own homes this summer, thieves could be planning to spend the summer visiting nowhere but your home.

Burglaries set to rise

According to research conducted by Abbey, the number of domestic burglaries could be set to increase as a result of the financial downturn.

Late last year, Abbey Home Insurance had issued a warning to homeowners ensuring they have contents cover expecting burglary rates to soar during the current climate as there had had been a growing number of reported burglaries in the last recession.

Thierry Campet, the sales and marketing director at Abbey Insurance said: "When household budgets tighten […] there are the usual outgoings that people feel they can cut back on.

Wrongly, many people believe home insurance is one of these."

He warned homeowners that they should ensure their properties are protected as the number of break-ins were more likely to climb.

More recently, a survey by Halifax Home Insurance also found that garden theft will also increase as summer approaches.

According to the insurer, the number of claims for garden equipment had soared by 63 per cent last year even though there was a lot of rainfall last summer.

It also found that the cost of replacing the equipment also increased last summer with the average cost being £433.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "It is important for homeowners to bear in mind the value of items outside the home as well as inside, as the collective cost of patio furniture, barbecues and children's play equipment can soon add up."

However, millions of homeowners are not covered for items inside their homes, it has been revealed.

More Brits with no contents cover

Research by a price comparison website has revealed that UK homeowners have approximately £154 million worth of uninsured items in their homes.

According to a survey by uSwitch.com, 18 per cent of UK homeowners do not have contents cover resulting in about 3.9 million occupiers at risk of losing out in the case of a burglary or fire.

The poll found that nearly a half of those without the cover stated that they could not afford contents insurance because of the current economic climate.

Mark Monteiro, insurance expert at uSwitch.com, said: "The fact that nearly half of homeowners and renters alike don't feel they can afford home contents insurance at the moment is a worrying sign of the times."