Homeowners abroad are set to be assisted by a leading home insurance provider on who to contact during an emergency when a crisis hits when overseas.

Insurance provider, Towergate Connect, has launched the new service "Overseas Assist" which will include a 24 hour Domestic Emergency Helpline which should help smooth a difficult enough activity.

The service will enable any tenant or guest using a holiday home to promptly report an emergency, crime or domestic duties efficiently and with minimum of fuss. The service will also run 24 hours.

Lewis Hopkins, managing director of Towergate Connect, said: "Many people find themselves in situations abroad where they are unable to communicate effectively with authorities and businesses or to deal with an emergency.

"With Overseas Assist you can take comfort that, even in the most stressful of situations, you can contact an English-speaking assistant who has local knowledge, and can act as a translator to ensure you get the help you need.

This is an excellent peace-of-mind service that we are proud to offer our clients."

Britons have also been advised to take appropriate security measures for any homes abroad.

Recent research has shown that more than £6.3bn of personal property is left unattended in holiday homes.

A survey by Zurich Private Clients, revealed that British homeowners leave more than £100,000 of belongings inside their second homes when unattended.

Nick Brabham of Zurich Private Clients said: "There has been a steady rise in the number of customers with second homes, either in the UK or abroad.

While we're using them, we often let our guard down...but we need to ensure that we don't compromise on security or cover, leaving our property vulnerable and hundreds of pounds of our possessions at risk."

The survey of 1,000 second homeowners found that 48 per cent have window locks fitted on their holiday home, and only one in five have had a burglar alarm installed.

Churchill Home Insurance has shown that an average of £3,288 worth of goods is stolen while the owners are away from their homes on holiday. The insurer reiterated that home owners should protect their belongings with home insurance.

Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Home Insurance, commented: "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. Whilst insurance cannot prevent burglary, it can provide reassurance that the monetary value of anything stolen is covered.

"We would urge homeowners to ensure their contents insurance is fully up to date and high value items are individually listed."

The report has found that items which are stolen usually include DVDs, CDs, jewellery games consoles, laptops, mobile phones, cameras and MP3 players.

Churchill went on to recommend that Brits should remove valuables from view when going away for an extended period.