Five million Brits stash Christmas presents in a hiding place that puts them at risk of theft - and of not being able to make a claim on insurance if they're targeted, experts warn. With December 25 approaching, households across the country will be stocking up on gifts for loved ones.

Keeping them hidden all the way up to the big day isn't always easy, especially if you're buying for children, with families relying on various ingenious ways to keep that long-awaited gift away from prying eyes. But a new survey from Go.Compare has found that more than one in nine Brits (11%) plan to hide Christmas presents in their car boot this year, putting potentially millions of pounds worth of gifts at risk of being stolen by criminals.

The research found that most people hide presents in cupboards or wardrobes (40%), under the bed (17%), under the Christmas tree (16%), 10% stash presents at other people's houses, while 20% don't hide them at all.

But a surprising large proportion (11%, which represents approximately five million nationwide) opt to hide them in their car. The comparison warns that while it may seem like a good and unexpected place to keep them out of sight, if you don't have personal possessions cover, the prezzies may not be covered by car insurance or home insurance.

As a result, stolen presents would need to be replaced out of pocket.

Tom Banks, Go.Compare Car Insurance Expert, said: "Hiding presents in the car might seem convenient, especially if you have curious kids at home, but it can be a costly mistake - because your insurance policy isn't guaranteed to cover you for the cost of presents lost if your car is stolen.

"While the level of cover varies for comprehensive policies, if you've opted for fire and theft or Third Party Only (TPO), you likely won't have any personal possessions cover at all.

"Ultimately, hiding presents in your car isn't worth the risk," he added. "It's always safer to bring presents inside and store them somewhere out of sight, like the the 40% of people who hide gifts away in cupboards or wardrobes."

• In cupboards or wardrobes - 40%


• Under the bed - 17%


• Under the Christmas tree - 16%


• In the boot of the car - 11%


• In the attic - 11%


• At someone else's house - 10%


• In a shed or outbuilding - 5%


• I don't hide/store Christmas presents - 20%

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,001 UK Nationally Representative Consumers aged 18+, with the data collected between November 4 and November 7 this year.

The experts at Go.Compare compiled some advice for protecting Christmas presents this year, with Tom Banks urging Britons: