DO you leave your home in the capable hands of friends, relatives or neighbours when you go on holiday?

Most of us do. And your trusted key-holder may well be brilliant at those everyday essential tasks like feeding the cat or dog, switching on the lights and watering the plants.

But, what happens if a water pipe bursts or a freak flood occurs?

Will they have your insurance details and a helpline number to hand? Or, are they going to have to rely on someone else to put things right?

According to research by home insurers Royal & SunAlliance, nine out of 10 home-owners don't leave their insurance details and a helpline number with a friend, relative or neighbour before going away.

Unfortunately, this is just when undetected dripping taps or dramatic downpours can cause a flood. And how many friends or relatives know where the stopcock is, let alone policy details?

As the firm explains:"Our homes and their contents are so precious and yet we leave it to chance that nothing will happen while we're away.

"If something does happen, it's a lot of hassle for the home-sitter to find a builder, plumber or repairer."

He points out that this could all be avoided by leaving insurance details and helpline number on that all-important checklist.

Then if "the unthinkable" does happen, once your insurance company has been contacted, they can take control of the situation and put things right.

The insurance company has put together its own holiday checklist for families going away and those left behind holding the house-keys.

1. Leave all door and alarm keys, plus codes with your nominated key-holder.

2. Lock and remove all keys from interior doors. Thieves may be able to get in, but it will be harder to get your valuables out.

3. Leave contact numbers for yourself and that of your tour operator so that you can be easily reached in an emergency. Does your mobile 'phone have international capability?

4. Show your key-holder where the stopcock/gas boiler control/main electric switch is.

5. Cancel all normal deliveries, for example milk and newspapers.

6. Don't talk freely in public places about your proposed trip, and make sure you get someone to collect the post on a regular basis so it doesn't look like the house is empty.

7. Inform your local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator that your house will be empty.

8. Leave a reminder to check the freezer in the event of a powercut lasting more than four hours. Food that has started to defrost should be thrown away. You may be able to claim for this through your insurers on your return.

9. Stuff all open chimneys with newspaper -- birds can fall through and damage contents and interiors.

10. Leave your nsurance details. This should include the telephone number of your insurer, theri emergency helpline number if they have one and your policy number. Inform your key-holder that they can allow a claims' handler into your house if required.