The majority of Britons are significantly undervaluing the items they leave in their vehicles, leaving them possibly exposed to lack of insurance cover.

A study of 591 motorists found the average car contains at least £384 of contents on a daily basis, including mobile phones, phone chargers, music collections, sunglasses, portable sat-navs, child seats, first aid kits and MP3 players.

It's a figure just 9% of those surveyed accurately reached. One third (33%) of motorists estimated their in-car belongings are worth up to £100.

However one in three motorists also admitted that during family days out electronic gadgets such as iPads and Nintendo DS units were also kept in the car.

Jason Banwell, managing director at Kwik Fit Insurance, part of Ageas UK, which conducted the study, said: “With iPads, expensive mobile phones and in-car dvd players becoming common place, it is absolutely vital to ensure consumers have the right level of cover in place to ensure these expensive items are covered for loss or damage."