Julie Carter, of specialist insurance broker Adrian Flux, recalls that when the company's Household division was set up ten years ago, many insurance companies would be sniffy about meeting bizarre claims, and 'Act of Alien' would be classed alongside 'Act of God'.

"Claims for freak household disasters are nothing new," she said.

"But if something like this happens to a householder, too often they fear the response from an insurer.

"They worry that it will be up to the policyholder to prove that a little green man was responsible."

However, things have improved in recent years, and Flux Household has been leading the way in flexible insurance that caters for a wider range of risks.

So out of curiosity last week, Flux rang round various insurance companies to see if they would cover policyholders on some strange scenarios.

What if a meteorite was to strike my house?
No problem, they said. It would be covered.

How about a stampede of wildebeest on the run from a local safari park?
Covered.

What if a vindictive ex-husband bulldozes my home to the ground?
Yes, that too.

And a UFO?
Yes, of course.

"If you are going to modify your house, you need to tell your insurer what you've done. And if that includes putting a flying saucer landing pad on the roof, you need to be sure it can bear the weight," said Ms Carter.

"So fears about household insurance not covering the improbable are now misplaced."