British people have been found to be carrying, on average around £972 worth of goods in handbags and manbags, for male counterparts, according to recent figures. Figures from the Swiss insurance provider, Zurich’s 2008 Walking Wealthy Survey, show that British people carry a total of around £44 billion worth of goods and personal possessions in their bags, on a daily basis when they are out and about.

However a majority of such people do not have these possessions covered by their home insurance, which could leave them drastically out pocket if they become a victim of theft or robbery. The total value of goods carried around has increased from 2006, where the average value of possessions, being carried was £851; today’s figures signify a 14 per cent increase in the value of goods, which can be due to the increase in expensive gadgets and designer handbags.

Zurich, believe that the increase in the value of goods carried around, comes from consumers, feeling the need to buy the latest hi-tech latest gadgets such as Blackberrys and Apple iphones, this has seen 13 per cent more people in Britain, stating that they are carrying around more expensive goods than they did, the same time a year ago.

Even though, people across Britain appear to show no bother that they are carrying around more costly goods, they appear to show the same little awareness or concern to the actual price of the goods or to the cost of replacing them if their possessions are stolen or go missing.

More than half of the people involved in the survey underestimated the value of their personal possessions, while 74 per cent, were completely unaware of how much their belongings cost – this may be due to the fact that their goods may have been given to them as a gift. Most of the people, questioned as part of the survey, were found to have underestimated the value of their goods by approximately £400; shocking most of the respondents, when they were told the true value of the contents of their bags.

Women were found to carry more expensive goods than their male counterparts, with the contents of their bags being given an average valued of £1,032 and £828 respectively. The survey also found that almost a third of people were not aware of the fact that they are able to cover the contents of their bags, with their home contents insurance policy. Moreover a quarter of respondents also confessed that they did not have any form of cover, for their personal possessions.

Mike Quinton, Managing Director for Direct & Partnerships at Zurich said: "The majority of people in the UK are not aware of the real value of the belongings they carry on them. We all need to be vigilant and make sure we're discreet with these expensive items to avoid being targeted by muggers, especially during the summer when people often become complacent while relaxing in parks or on the beach with friends and family."