As many households think about the big spring clean, moneysupermarket.com is advising customers to think about tidying up their finances before anything else. According to the comparison site, UK households could save £3,469 over the next 12 months simply by switching to the best-value financial products.

Clare Francis, site editor at moneysupermarket.com, said: “After months in the cold and dark, spring is just round the corner and what better time to take charge of the family’s finances by checking to see that you’re making the most of your financial products. There are some really easy savings to be made, just by spending half an hour reviewing where you’re at financially. It’s easy to be complacent but some rates on products change quite regularly so literally, it really does pay to be vigilant.”

While insurance is essential for financial security and peace of mind, moneysupermarket.com is urging people to opt for the best value cover at a level that is relevant to their needs. Many people make the mistake of overestimating the level of cover needed on their home and car insurance, it claims.

Moneysupermarket.com points out that paying annually for cover instead of monthly can cut the cost of a premium. Meanwhile, adding a partner to a policy can help cut car insurance costs, as can adding an older driver if you are a younger driver.

On average, consumers who use moneysupermarket.com to switch car insurance provider alone can save £196, it claims.