Ten years' worth of data released by insurance firm Norwich Union provides a snapshot of the average home, with the typical couple driving a Ford Fiesta, living in a home built in 1946 and having the surname Smith.

On average the Smiths make a home insurance claim over seven years and they value their personal belongings at £27,000.

A report suggests that being the average couple, the Smiths live in a three-bed house called the Cottage on the High Street and more often than not, are likely to holiday in Spain.

Over 2007 the most common home insurance claims for a Hitachi television, Sandisk camera memory card, Toshiba laptop, Sony PlayStation, and Microsoft Xbox 360.

Simon Warsop, head of home at Norwich Union, said: “Our study provides a fascinating glimpse into the average British home in 2008.

“Contrary to popular belief, it reveals that we are a lot more traditional than we think we are. We are still enjoying holidays in Spain, we still live pretty close to our family and, yes, those wedding and baby pictures are still pride of place in our homes.”

The insurer also looked at the UK's most prized possessions. Some 36% of people cited photographs as there dearest possession, while 20% said computer or games console, and 7% said TV, DVD players or audio equipment. However, across the sexes, figures show that 50% of women said photos were their most prized possessions, compared with 21% of men.

While 27% of men treasured their computers or games systems, in comparison to 13% of women. Men were also more likely to say their record collections or audio/video equipment were their most prized possessions. But previous reports have also indicated that the total value of items stolen averaged £3,288 per incident, with residents away for a weekend or even just on a day trip, according to new research by Churchill Insurance.

Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Insurance said: “Arriving back from a holiday or a quick break to discover your home has been broken into is an awful experience for anyone to endure," said Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Insurance.

“While insurance cannot prevent burglary, it can provide reassurance that the monetary value of anything stolen is covered.”

According to the study, there was a declining trend in traditional TV and stereo theft, as thieves are opting to take portable, easy to carry, high value items.

DVDs, CDs and videos, for example, account for 44% of all property stolen, while jewellery (43%) and money, cheque books and credit cards (42%) were also popular targets.