The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has rejected “inaccurate” media reports about excessive home contents premium rises, arguing claims have spiralled in recent years.

“The prices of many individual [household] items may have fallen in recent years, but households own more of them,” the council said.

“The average contents policy claim size has soared more than 30% in the three years to June.”

Average sums insured have increased about 7-8% in the same period, it says.

It comes after News Ltd publications reported on “excessive” premium rises despite the lower cost of replacing stolen goods and reduced NSW home burglary rates.

“ICA is concerned these reports are likely to mislead consumers and industry observers,” the council says.

It says the cost of replacing items and crime rates are just two factors affecting premiums.

“A change in burglary rates has only a moderate impact on premiums in most areas, and crime rates in some jurisdictions are rising.”

In Queensland, home burglary rates grew 12% in 2011/12, ICA says.

 ICA CEO Robert Whelan warns in a letter in some News Ltd publications on Friday that the articles could undermine consumer confidence before a spring and summer in which a higher bushfire risk is likely.

He says catastrophes and reinsurance costs are the key drivers of premiums. “Catastrophe claims since 2011 have cost insurers $6.7 billion.”

Insurers’ statutory contributions to NSW fire and emergency services have grown 25% from $376 million in 2001/02 to $711 million in 2011/12, ICA says.