Beefeaters have guarded the Tower of London since the 14th century

Despite residing at one of the most secure addresses in the world the Yeoman Warders say insurance companies are citing security as the main reason for refusing them cover.

The post code is key to the problem with the tower being situated in the Tower Hill area of Tower Hamlets, where crime is high.

Also the yale locks and sash windows of the homes are not deemed secure enough by insurers and because the building is a World Heritage Site they cannot be changed.

The Beefeaters say their problems do not end there as they even have difficulty getting pizza delivered because when they say they live in the Tower of London people think they are joking and hang up.

Fire and flooding

Chris Morton, 47, who served with the Royal Engineers before becoming a Beefeater five years ago, said: "It is absolutely ludicrous.

"We have state-of-the-art security systems here, top-of-the-range fire protection and numerous military and security guards patrolling the grounds.

We are not interested in the proximity to the Crown Jewels, it's how secure the individual properties are Direct Line spokesman

"I had to phone four different companies before I finally got insured through Lloyds Bank."

The warders say they want home contents insurance because it covers against other incidents such as fire, flooding and theft of property outside the home.

Yeoman Gaoler John Keohane said: "The fact you live within the walls of a fortress manned 24-hours-a-day does not make a jot of difference."

Call centres

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers told BBC London: "Post codes are relevant and important and they do have an impact on the cost of insurance.

"Obviously having said that if you are in this fairly unusual situation you should go direct to a broker who will be able to explain this to the insurance company."

The spokesman said brokers were better trained to deal with unusual circumstances - like living in a 15th century fortress - than staff at call centres.

He said: "Call centre staff are trained to get risks on the books as soon as possible - to make sure cover is instant. That's not to say they wouldn't be able to find cover.

State-of-the-art security systems are in place at the tower

"And it seems the beefeaters have managed to get cover now anyway."

A spokesman for insurance company Direct Line told BBC London: "We would quote on the private residences within the Tower of London but we will base it on the locks on the windows and doors.

"We are not interested in the proximity to the Crown Jewels, it's how secure the individual properties are - especially when we are quoting for contents insurance."

Beefeaters have guarded the tower since the 14th century.