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That is one of the alarming findings from research Axa carried out with YouGov.

Despite the fact around a quarter of mortgages are taken out solely by women, attitudes to financial protection are stuck in the 1970s.

Many women are not ensuring they are secure in their homes if something happens to them. In the survey 39 per cent of women without insurance said they did not think they needed it.

In fact, some were hoping they would be able to sell up and move to a cheaper area if they became unable to work.

Given the current market, far from making them money this could leave them facing negative equity on their original home. And if they are unable to work because of illness, the chances of them getting a new mortgage are limited.

We are no longer living in an age where mortgages are taken out by the man of the house, who is the sole earner.

About 74 per cent of women work full or part-time, according to the Labour Force Survey, which has almost caught up with the figure for men of around 84 per cent.

It is therefore vital women as well as men get relevant protection advice when they take out a mortgage.

It is important for providers and advisers to work together to make sure women are not disadvantaged when it comes to protection.

Graham Harvey is managing director of protection for Axa