Published by Swiftcover using data taken from their claims database, the report identifies the midlands as the second most likely region in which consumers may have their vehicle targeted by thieves. Figures from the group included both claims made for the theft of a vehicle and for items stolen from the car such as stereos or satellite navigation systems. The north-west, Yorkshire and the southern counties rounded out the list of the top five vehicle theft hotspots.

The insurance provider also warned owners of Ford Fiesta that they may be at particular risk of theft, with this model identified as being involved in the highest number of claims. Volkswagen Golfs, Vauxhall Astras and Corsas, as well Nissan Micras, were also all seen to attract a high number of thieves. For those who have been unfortunate enough to have their vehicle stolen in recent months, applying for a car loan may prove an effective way to get back on the road quickly. In taking out this type of loan, people may also be afforded the financial flexibility to make sure they have enough money to purchase additional security measures such as steering wheel locks and alarms to act as a deterrent to potential thieves.

The most common form of claim made by Swiftcover customers arose from instances when their vehicle had been stolen and had not been recovered, with this situation necessitating 48.7 per cent of claims. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24.5 per cent) of people contacted their insurer after their vehicle had been stolen and recovered in a damaged condition. For a further 12 per cent, a claim was made after an attempted vehicle theft, while six per cent of people contacted their provider to cover the cost of replacing keys after they had been stolen. Theft of personal effects accounted for 5.4 per cent of claims.

Commenting on the statistics, Robin Reames, claims director of Swiftcover, said: “Whether you live in a busy town, leafy suburbs or sleepy village, always keep your car secure even for just a few minutes. It’s amazing how many people leave their keys in the ignition while defrosting the car, or pop into the post office leaving their car windows open. It’s just an open invitation to opportunistic thieves.”

One of the principal recommendations made by the firm in an effort to reduce the likelihood of a car being stolen was to invest in immobilisers, alarms and trackers which would discourage thieves from targeting their vehicle. For those looking for an effective way to fund such purchases, taking out a personal loan might be useful. Doing so may also provide the necessary capital to buy in-car extras like satellite navigation systems and CD players, although Swiftcover reminded consumers of the need to remove such items from a vehicle if it was going to be left unattended.

The firm also iterated the need to make sure cars were secure in a bid to lower car insurance premiums, while failing to shop online for a policy was said to be costing Britons as much as 1.9 billion pounds.

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Newcastle Building Society has indicated that more than one in ten people (11 per cent) have forgotten to lock their door before leaving their house in the last year, while 58 per cent said they had left their home unattended with appliances still running. For half of all respondents to the financial service provider’s study, failing to check the batteries in their smoke alarm had been neglected. Another common practice which was said to raise the chance of a break-in was leaving expensive personal items on display by not remembering to close curtains before going out the door, with 28 per cent of people admitting to doing so in the past 12 months.

In addition, more than a quarter (26 per cent) of people said they had left the house without locking the windows, while 17 per cent of people had neglected to set the alarm. Newcastle indicated that for many respondents, these acts of forgetfulness were still prevalent despite having to make a claim on their home insurance policy in the past because of similar indiscretions. Of those interviewed, 34 per cent had claimed in the past year, with burglary identified as the most common cause, amounting to seven per cent of all applications.

For those who have found themselves short of insurance protection following a break-in, it is possible that they will have to meet the costs of replacement using savings, credit or personal loans.

Despite seeming somewhat lax about home security, many people expressed an awareness of the need to take measures to lower the costs of home insurance premiums. Commonly identified tactics to bring down the price of a policy included fitting window locks - which 76 per cent thought would help - and fitting a five-lever mortice lock on the front door, which 70 per cent of respondents believed would be beneficial. Fitting alarms (61 per cent) and joining neighbourhood watch schemes (56 per cent) were also said to lower premiums, while 11 per cent of people mistakenly believed that owning a dog would reduce the cost of cover.

For those looking to boost their home security, taking out a personal loan may prove useful in providing the funds necessary to install new locks, security lights and similar forms of protection.

Commenting on the statistics, Steven Marks, lending executive at Newcastle Building Society, said: “While it is encouraging to see that many people are aware of the measures to take to reduce their home contents insurance bill, it is worrying to see the number of people who admit to forgetful acts over a year; especially if they have made a claim in the past. It stands to reason that leaving your home without locking the doors or setting the alarm creates a risk for burglary but it can also affect your home contents cover should you come to claim. If people really want to feel the benefits of their home contents cover they shouldn’t leave their home at risk.”

Insurance provider esure has also recently advised consumers of the need to cover their possessions before heading off to a festival this summer. For those who fail to do so, costs may need to be covered using loans or credit.

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Research from the group has suggested that the average cost of a policy for a youthful motorist now totals 989 pounds, more than twice the nationwide average of 459 pounds. In total, younger generations of drivers may be paying as much as 980 million in additional costs as a result of current risk evaluation practices enforced by insurance providers. For those who are struggling to keep up with the costs of keeping their car on the road as fuel prices escalate, taking out a car loan may be advisable.

And with the average premium equalling 69 per cent of the total value of younger people’s cars, taking out a loan may also be of use for those who are looking to purchase their first automobile without having to cut corners.

The group advised younger consumers to opt for more secure cars in an effort to lower cover costs, with insurers traditionally viewing less powerful vehicles as a lower risk. It explained that opting for the GTI version of a Peugeot 206 could add up to 4,000 pounds to a policy compared to the standard model, a figure which the firm used to highlight the need to carry out research before purchasing a car. Furthermore, older sporty models can also incur hefty insurance costs for young drivers. While a model such as a second-hand Volkswagen Golf GTI might cost around 5,000 pounds to buy, younger motorists living in high-risk areas could spend as much as 14,600 pounds in comprehensive insurance costs - nearly three times the worth of the vehicle.

Figures from the firm suggest that average car insurance costs for young people have increased by 122 per cent in the past ten years, with the firm noting that if current trends continue, younger drivers may be spending as much as 2,196 pounds to keep their car covered in 2018.

However, the firm noted that new proposals being drawn up by the government could lead to a change in the ways that insurance providers evaluate risk, with the planned equalities bill potentially putting an end to the practice of setting policy prices based on the age of the driver.

Ashton Berkhauer, insurance expert at uSwitch, commented: “In theory, the equalities bill could mean the end of the road for higher premiums for young drivers. However, insurers have to price by risk and there is clear evidence that younger drivers are more of a hazard on the roads. If the bill calls for pricing to be equal across age groups this could lead to a rise in premiums for lower risk, safer drivers, who would effectively be subsidising their higher risk counterparts. There is also a danger that many more ‘boy racers’ will find that they can afford to insure faster, flashier cars - we could see accidents increase as a result.”

For those looking to get on the road after passing their test, taking out a low-rate loan may prove an effective way to cover the growing costs of motoring. Doing so may be of particular interest to older generations after a survey from Tesco Personal Finance suggested that Porsches are most likely to be owned by those on the verge of a mid-life crisis.

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Such is the suggestion of David Kuo, head of personal finance at the Motley Fool. Commenting recently, he asserted that while some people may be looking to cut back on the amount of cover they have, taking out a payment protection insurance (PPI) may prove an attractive option as Britons look for peace of mind in turbulent economic circumstances.

His comments follow recent research by YouGov and DeLoitte which indicated that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of people who purchase insurance policies from price comparison sites are looking to cut back on the number of protection products they have. Around one in five (21 per cent) said they would reduce their PPI cover. Meanwhile, 18 per cent of people said they would downgrade their motor cover from comprehensive to third-party, while 12 per cent were looking to make cutbacks on the amount of travel insurance they opted for.

For those looking to obtain a PPI policy to protect them in the event that they are made redundant, Mr Kuo advised them to shop around to make sure they get the most competitive deal. He also urged consumers to check the small print of all policies to make sure they understand the limitations of payouts.

A failure to take out a PPI policy could result in people turning to secured loans or other forms of credit in order to meet the cost of outgoings as income dries up.

Commenting on recent statistics released by the Motley Fool indicating that Britons typically spend 1,500 pounds on insurance every year, Mr Kuo insisted that the tightened economic circumstances of recent months may stimulate people into renewing their policies in order to make a saving. He noted that doing so may be particularly useful for the one-third of people who were said to have no idea how much cover they had.

“The credit crunch is therefore an ideal opportunity to sift through our finances to identify what policies we have taken out, which are essential and which should be thrown out with the trash. For example, motor insurance is compulsory if you own a car and building insurance is a must if you have a mortgage. Apart from these two insurances, the rest should be up for review,” he said.

Responding to figures showing that 18 per cent of people would be cutting back on car cover, Mr Kuo urged people to consider whether they could afford to bear the cost or carrying out repairs or buying a new vehicle.

“If you buy insurance you don’t need then you are wasting money. But if you don’t buy insurance that you do need, then eventually your decision will come back to haunt you,” he insisted.

For those who have found themselves short of cover, taking out a secured loan may prove an effective way to meet the costs of getting a vehicle back on the road. Taking out this type of loan may also leave people with enough spare capital to make sure they can make adequate insurance arrangements in the future. Earlier this month, the AA also reminded caravan owners of the need to make sure their motor homes are adequately insured before they head off on their holidays.

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According to credit information services provider Equifax, the recent hikes in the cost of food, fuel and energy could soon force consumers to resort to credit and personal loans in an effort to meet the costs of monthly outgoings.

Commenting on the phenomenon, Neil Munroe, external affairs director at the firm, explained that involuntary credit occurs when consumers simply cannot meet the financial responsibility of the inflated costs of living and turn to loans for respite, despite intentions to stay in the black. The group insisted that such a scenario has not occurred on a widespread level since the early 90s.

As such, Mr Munroe insisted that the noughties generation may well soon come to learn what those who survived the financial turmoil of the 80s and 90s already know: that it can be difficult to change personal financial situations in the short term should they go awry.

Equifax warned that the root causes of the need to resort to loans and other forms of credit can be manifold, some of which may be difficult for consumers to counteract.

“It could be caused by increases in living expenses, such as a rise in mortgage payments at the end of a fixed-rate deal. Or by a sudden change in personal circumstances that hasn’t been allowed for in current credit commitments, such as redundancy, illness or separation or divorce,” Mr Munroe noted.

Continuing, he said: “Obviously there is a proportion of the UK population who are already in quite severe debt, as numerous surveys report. But what various economic and financial services experts are also predicting is that there is a reasonable segment of the population who may suddenly find themselves struggling to keep up repayments.”

In an effort to keep track of personal finances, the group urged consumers to obtain a copy of their credit report, as well as documenting their outgoings to identify any areas where savings could be made. For those who have found themselves unable to keep up with repayments as inflation grows and energy bills rise, taking out a debt consolidation loan may prove an effective way to get finances back on track.

The firm noted that keeping up with repayments is becoming increasingly difficult for a large number of people, with more than a third (37 per cent) of those interviewed in a recent study indicating that they had already fallen behind with their credit cards repayments. Nearly a quarter of respondents were said to have defaulted on a credit agreement.

Equifax concluded by noting that with around one in five people already seeing an increase in their monthly mortgage repayment contributions, problems in keeping up with financial obligations may be compounded further still.

In a report published at the beginning of this month, credit reference firm CreditExpert suggested that many consumers are unsure of the true extent of their debt obligations.

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Sir Michael Pitt, who led the independent review into the future of flood prevention, said that among a number of other recommendations, the government must establish a cabinet committee dedicated to limiting risk exposure. In doing so, the group must escalate flood prevention to a top-level security priority on the same standing as anti-terrorist and pandemic prevention operations, he said.

Following last year’s floods, many thousands of people were displaced from their homes and were placed in temporary accommodation, some of whom still have not been able to return. Sir Michael urged the government to act now to prevent a similar event having comparable effect in the future. Among the recommendations was the development of a National Resilience Forum to help develop nationwide defence strategies for flooding and other emergencies.

Commenting on the publication of the review, moneysupermarket said it was a step in the right direction and would help to improve access to competitive home insurance policies, which it suggested many people are finding increasingly difficult to find. For those without adequate home cover, there is a likelihood that repairs arising from storm damage would have to be met with savings, personal loans or other forms of credit.

In a statement, the price comparison site commented: “The Association of British Insurers estimates that in some areas affected by the summer 2007 floods just a quarter of homes had contents insurance, yet in the aftermath, insurers received around 165,000 claims related to flooding - equivalent to four years worth of claims. Looking forward insurers may be reluctant to insure homes in flood risk areas, especially for properties where a claim for flooding has already been made. Anyone planning to buy a home on a flood plain should think carefully about the impact location might have on their premiums, or whether they can insure their home at all.”

Sir Michael also iterated the importance of providing consumers with information about purchasing property in high-risk areas in order to allow them to make informed decisions about insurance and other important considerations. For those looking for an effective way to raise the capital to purchase their ideal home, taking out a secured loan may provide the necessary funds to put down the money for a deposit before the opportunity is missed.

Concluding, Sir Michael insisted that public authorities must be involved both locally and nationally, with regional bodies called upon to take a commanding lead in flood risk management. Meanwhile, at a national level, oversight and scrutiny committees were deemed necessary to ensure work was being undertaken effectively.

Earlier this year, Abbey Home Insurance indicated that as well as causing severe disruptions, turbulent weather can put a serious dent in people’s finances too, with the average cost of home damage said to equal 2,699 pounds. For those in need of an effective way to cover such expenses, taking out a home loan may prove useful.

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In a recent report by Sainsbury’s Bank, it was suggested that total spending could be as high as 7.89 billion pounds on discounted items during the warmer months. While this figure is less than was spent over the same period last year, average spending still totalled 305 pounds and 90 pence per person, with the bank commenting that such a figure shows that Britons still have a taste for bagging a bargain. Common items which participants would spend their money on were clothes, which are expected to account for 33.5 per cent of all summer sales transactions. Home furnishings are anticipated to constitute 18.5 per cent of spending, while electrical goods are predicted to amount to 15.5 per cent of summer purchases.

For those looking for an effective way to fund such purchases, taking out a low rate loan may be of interest. By choosing this type of loan, people may be able to grab the best bargains before they disappear, leaving them with affordable levels of repayment.

Indeed, Sainsbury’s Bank identifies that for many people, the cost of bagging a summer deal will have to be met with credit as the rising cost of fuel, food and energy make their presence felt. The group predicted that 42 per cent of all spending carried out in the coming months will be placed on credit cards. Such a percentage would amount to some 3.29 billion pounds worth of purchases made using plastic.

Commenting on the statistics, Donald MacLeod, head of cards at Sainsbury’s Finance, said: “A growing number of credit cards now offer some sort of reward every time you use them but some of these have catches. For example, some put a limit on the financial value of their reward schemes and others can make it difficult to redeem your rewards or points. This helps explain why only around 36 per cent of people who have collected rewards linked to their cards over the past 12 months have so far. If you are going to use a credit card in the summer sales, it pays to use one that gives you attractive rewards.”

Despite a large amount of spending, the report found that many Britons are still expecting to cut back on purchases made during the sales. Around 20 per cent of people anticipate that they will spend less during the summer period when compared with their level of expenditure during the same period in 2007. Meanwhile, 63 per cent of people said they will spend the same amount. Only eight per cent of people anticipated a higher level of spending.

Late last year, a study carried out by Unbiased suggested that many Britons had felt the pinch of higher interest rates and had resorted to loans and other forms of credit to cover summer spending. During the third quarter of 2007, 35 pence was borrowed for every pound saved.

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According to Johnny Stern, director of mySupermarket, Britons are increasingly finding that food prices are on the up. This was partially attributed to recent poor weather conditions resulting in a bad crop of various goods and causing a shortage in supply. Meanwhile, it was asserted that overall rise in demand has meant and that in particular “basic products” have gone up.

He said: “On the one hand you’ve got increased demand for a lot of these basic products and - on the other hand - from the supply side you’ve got a shortage of supply due to a bad crop of various products, due to certain weather conditions and it’s the combination of the demand reasons and the supply reasons which has caused the increase in the price of basic products - a double whammy effectively.”

Furthermore, it was stated that the continued rise in oil prices is impacting upon food values. One way in which this has happened has involved the increasing cost of transporting raw products to distribution outlets. Here retailers were indicated as shifting the impact of surging transport costs on to the consumer. Meanwhile, it was stated that as oil prices grow, more time is being dedicated towards research into alternative resources. And although at first people might assume that this means food prices will fall, Mr Stern pointed out that this is not the case. It was claimed that various staple food products are now not only being sought after to be eaten but are also being used as an alternative energy source, something which again drives up demand and costs for such produce.

Following on from price increases - not only in food but also in areas such as petrol - it may be possible that Britons find themselves struggling with greater difficulty to manage with the numerous constraints on their spending. This may mean that making repayments on mortgages and loans, meeting the cost of household bills and transport expenses also become harder to cope with.

Mr Stern’s comments come after research carried out by Verdict revealed that the “typical basket” of 100 grocery items was 5.8 per cent more expensive in May compared to the beginning of this year. In the firm’s study it was also indicated that the cost of fruit and vegetables has increased 16 per cent since January, with dairy produce posting growth of 6.2 per cent. However, it appears that consumers may see the cost of grocery shopping impacting more heavily on their spending as it was stated food price inflation will be strong over the remainder of this year and into 2009.

In the face of rising food costs, those consumers concerned about their ability to manage their money over the coming months might wish to consider taking out a low rate loan. By doing so it may be possible borrowers can meet numerous financial constraints at once, leaving them with a single affordable monthly repayment to make. Getting a loan for the intentions of supplementing spending as living costs surge could also be recommended after TheEnergyShop reported that price rises by Britain’s six major energy providers saw the typical utilities bill increase by 14 per cent during the first few months of this year.

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American Express has found that nearly a third (31 per cent) of travellers admitted to having an argument over the financial viability of a trip abroad, while others were found to have had spates over luggage and leaving for the airport on time. Nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents to the financial services firm’s study said they had got into an argument about how much had been packed into a suitcase, while 40 per cent said they had been in a heated debate over whether or not they would make the flight. Earlier on in the planning stage, 17 per cent had argued about when to book a holiday away, while a further 17 per cent expressed dismay about the quality of accommodation that had been arranged.

For those looking to take out the financial stress of getting away, taking out a personal loan may provide the monetary security necessary to let people to focus on enjoying their holiday to the fullest degree.

In a breakdown of holiday volatility among different age groups, younger generations were said to be more likely to have a tiff, with an average of four arguments had by youthful travellers, compared to an average of 3.1 disagreements arising before a trip taken by those over the age of 55. While financial concerns were a prominent point of tension, slightly more biological problems were also found to have caused a rift. According to the group, 17 per cent of people had argued about needing the toilet on the way to the airport.

Finding a place to park was stressful for 13 per cent of travellers, while four per cent of people had got a relaxing holiday off to a bad start by arguing after a family member went astray at the airport.

Regional statistics also showed the short fuses of those living in the north-east, with residents in this area said to be the most argumentative when it came to holiday planning, having an average of four disputes before getting on the plane. People in the west country meanwhile were found to be an altogether more placid bunch, with an average of two disagreements had by people living in the south-west. Those holidaying from Yorkshire meanwhile were most likely to bicker about forgotten holiday essentials, with more than a fifth (21 per cent) of people in this area neglecting to make sure their possessions were in order before setting out.

Commenting on the statistics, Kirstie Bayley, director at American Express Travellers Cheques, said: “The research has shown that holiday makers have a lot to think about when they go away and the last thing they are going to want to worry about is money. Sorting your travel money in advance of your holiday can alleviate this and buying travellers cheques can mean you have one less thing to worry about. Travellers cheques are just like cash, but insured against loss or theft so you can relax that bit more; they also help you stick to a budget as you can visually see how much you have left to spend.”

Whatever financial situation people are in, taking out a personal loan may prove an effective way to fund a trip. Doing so may be of particular interest to those over the age of 55 after a Holiday Inn report suggested that a growing number of people in this age bracket were looking to book a romantic break and get away from it all.

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