Sainsbury's Bank estimates that the unpaid work done by supermums would cost over £17,000 if someone were employed to do it.

The bank is now urging these women to take out life insurance – not only to cover their income, but also to cover the unpaid work they do.

Women are increasingly returning to work whilst retaining the bulk of the responsibility for managing the home and raising the children, points out David Pickett, life insurance manager at the bank.

And even though some women only have four hours to themselves a week, the housework they do often goes overlooked, he points out.

Hiring someone to do the cooking and washing up for a family could cost as much as £4,461, the insurance company found. Men are also doing their bit and take responsibility for an estimated £11,900 worth of unpaid work around the house every year.

We are therefore urging families to ensure that they are financially protected should one or both parents die, so it's important that both parents make sure that they have adequate life insurance, Mr Pickett says.

Parents with life insurance have the peace of mind that if they should die, their dependents will receive a payment to ease the financial burden.

They are being urged to shop around for the best deal on life insurance. Sainsbury's has life insurance policies starting from £5 a month.