Press Release: Upwardly mobile Brits

It's official - Brits are addicted to their mobile phones. Research from Protectyourbubble.com reveals that 88% of us don't leave home without taking our mobile with us, which means that there are a staggering 53,658,000 mobiles carried in bags and jammed in pockets out on the UK's streets every day.

We're more likely to take our phones with us than anything else, even a purse or wallet. Looking at the national picture, those in the Midlands seem to be the most attached to their mobile with 98% claiming to carry it with them when they're out and about. They're closely followed by people in the northwest (94%) and Scots (93%).

"As a nation, we're becoming increasingly attached to gadgets and in particular it looks like we just can't do without our mobiles," comments Stephen Ebbett at Protectyourbubble.com. "As they've become more advanced, our reliance on them is increasing. It's not just a question of being able to keep in touch with friends, family and business contacts at any given moment anymore. We're using them to listen to music, watch TV and films, surf the net and take photos. And as more of us are using internet based banking services, we're even using them to pay bills."

Mobiles are the one personal possession that people are likely to carry with them, with only 73% of us saying that we pick up a purse or wallet to take these out with us. The number of gadgets we carry around with us every day is on the rise. Despite the growing number of mobiles with inbuilt cameras, 41% of us take out a camera. 33% of us have an MP3 or iPod with us wherever we go. 17% of us regularly lug a laptop around. 11% carry a handheld games machine as a matter of course.

Ebbett concludes: "Whether a result of need or desire, we're becoming more obsessed with gadgets - the value of which can range from a few pounds to several thousand. Sadly, as with all must-have items, gadgets attract thieves. According to recent findings by the BBC, muggings rose by almost 40% in some parts of the country last year which police blame on the sharp rise in popularity of portable gadgets."

Gadget insurance from ethical insurer Protectyourbubble.com allows you to tailor cover to your electronic gadgets including mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players, laptops, satnavs and cameras from as little as £2.49 per month. The insurance provides worldwide cover for theft, accidental damage and breakdown on all insured gadgets plus accidental loss for mobile phones and PDAs, and Protectyourbubble.com aims to replace items within 48 hours of a successful claim.

For every policy sold or renewed, Protectyourbubble.com donates £1 to the Children's Adventure Farm Trust, which provides residential activity breaks for terminally ill, chronically sick, disabled and disadvantaged children. Located in a 17th century Cheshire farmhouse, facilities include a multi-sensory suite and garden designed different sensory experiences which can stimulate or calm children with physical and learning disabilities or sensory impairments.

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Media contact

Lesley Russell at Spotlight Communications on 07817 778038 or lesley@spotlightcomms.co.uk