Caravan Insurance

The average cost of running a home is now £10,048 a year thanks to rising mortgage repayments and higher energy bills.

This amount is 16 per cent higher than the £8,659 average recorded in 2004, according to a study carried out by Sainsbury's.

The annual cost of gas has risen by more than half (58 per cent) to £522, while electricity has shot up 32 per cent over the same period.

The calculations take into account mortgages, improvements, utilities, council tax and home insurance, but does not extend to food costs.

With energy prices expected to rise even higher in turbulent times, it makes sense to save as much as possible on cheap home insurance.

However, while you'll want to get the cheapest home insurance possible, it is also important to ensure a policy is adequate and contents are covered for their replacement value.

Policies may differ as to how long a property can be unoccupied and still remain covered and some home insurance might not cover items that are taken out of the home.

The key to cheap home insurance is to shop around and compare prices with a number of different providers.

Sainsbury's is also urging people to consider switching their energy and insurance providers.

Home insurance manager, Karen Preston said the "rising costs" made it "all the more important" people shop around to find the best deals.