Women With Expensive Handbags 'Vulnerable To Crime'

A designer label handbag – the dream of many women nowadays. They can cost as much as a hundred pounds but give the wearer a sense of status, even better if it is filled with expensive gadgets. However good it looks, though, the designer bag and expensive gadgets can be a draw to thieves and you may lose everything in an unguarded moment.

According to a well known insurance firm, many British women risk falling victim to crime by carrying expensive items in their handbags. A study by Cornhill Direct found that one in five British women have either lost or had their handbag stolen, which often contains high-value possessions.

Figures from the firm showed that the average handbag is worth around £300, as women often opt for a designer label and carry items such as cash, a mobile phone and MP3 player. In addition, the vast majority of women carry their house and car keys in their handbag which makes them more vulnerable to further theft of their property.

It seems that where you live in the country also affects what is in your handbag. Women in Wales carry the most expensive bags in the country, with an average value of £337, followed by Londoners and women living in the North East of England.

A spokesman for Cornhill Direct urged those who carry handbags to be aware that they are a "prime target" for thieves.  He said: "Try not to carry around important documents and take sensible precautions to minimise the risk of theft, particularly in bars and restaurants."

He added that losing or having a bag stolen is not only extremely stressful but can also leave women open to identity theft, as they often contain personal details. Cornhill also listed other items that can increase the value of the average handbag, such as a make-up bag and its contents, a purse, diary and an umbrella.

You can update your home contents insurance to make sure all the items in your handbag are covered in case they are stolen or lost outside the home.

If you would like to know more about insurance why not ask AnswerBank Insurance.