HOMEOWNERS in Clevedon and Portishead should be able to barter with insurance companies and get themselves a better deal, according to online experts MoneySupermarket.

The low proportion of insurance claims for theft in the two towns, compared with many areas of the UK, should allow residents to get a discount.

Clevedon had 7.7 claims per 1,000 enquiries to the website and Portishead 6.9 between December 2010 and November 2011.

Julie Fisher, head of home insurance for the website, said an area with higher theft rates does not necessarily mean it is one with more crime.

She said: “Home is where the heart is, and there is no denying that a burglary in your home is an emotional and frightening experience.

“However being in a higher risk area doesn’t necessarily mean where you live is bad or rife with crime – many thieves will target more affluent areas purely for the rewards on offer.

“No matter where you live, there will always be an element of risk to the safety of your possessions so it is vital to have adequate home insurance in place.

“Properties classified as being in a high-risk area, whether that be for crime, flooding or subsidence, could see the price of cover affected.

“Homeowners need to be extra vigilant when it comes to security. Installing timers on your lights and ensuring items of value are kept away from your windows are easy steps to take to reduce risk.”

MoneySupermarket published the 20 postcodes with most theft claims and Stoke Newington in London was ranked as the worst area in the UK with 33.6 claims per 1,000 enquiries.

West Bromwich, Leeds, Doncaster and Bradford all appeared in the top 10.