Home Insurance Protection Against Burglaries

Property owners in the UK have been warned to be on guard against thieves and burglars after research revealed that one in 10 UK households have either been burgled or suffered an attempted break-in during the last five years.

The research from a home insurance provider showed that 2.4million homes across the UK have been affected with Londoners suffering the most burglaries or attempted burglaries at 13 per cent, followed by those in the North East and North West at 12 per cent while only the South West of England and Wales getting away relatively unscathed at six per cent.

Unfortunately the number of burglaries is only likely to rise during tough economic times as more people turn to crime on the back of rising unemployment. The result for law-abiding homeowners is that the number of home insurance claims will increase leading to larger payouts and higher premiums.

How home insurance can help to protect your home

A good home insurance policy won’t stop a break-in from occurring, but it can provide welcome peace of mind should the worst happen.

A home insurance policy should replace the contents stolen from your home, with most providers offering coverage on a new for old basis – meaning that you’ll receive a brand new model no matter how old the item stolen was. However, there are some important caveats to watch out for that homeowners should double check to ensure their coverage is appropriate.

The first step should be to ensure that the policy is up to date and includes all new items brought into the home over Christmas, for example. Calculate the value of your contents and ensure the limit you are insured for is enough to cover that approximation – leaving yourself under-insured could leave you out of pocket if a crime takes place. Also check the valuations of individual items - some policies place valuation limits on items and so you may have to insure some goods separately.

Also check the coverage you have for certain types of goods. For example, most policies will place limits on ‘business equipment’ - such as a computer, fax machine and so on. So ensure your contents fit within these policy limits.

It is also important to check the home insurance policy for exclusions – circumstances in which you will not be able to make a claim. For example, most home insurers will not pay out if you are deemed to be negligent in the build-up to a crime - such as by leaving a door unlocked or a burglar alarm switched off. Home insurers may also include a limit on how long you can leave a home unoccupied for - so if you’re planning to take an extended break abroad, check with your home insurance provider first.

Assuming your policy is up to date and you have been honest with an insurer you shouldn’t have any issues making a claim. However, in case there is any contention consider taking photographs of valuable items and holding on to receipts to back up a claim.

How to avoid theft-related home insurance claims

While having a suitable home insurance policy is important, making a claim on your insurance after a burglary or theft will automatically wipe out a no-claims discount which could prove costly. So you’re much better off avoiding the need to make a claim altogether - by enhancing your home security.

There are a number of straightforward ways in which this can be achieved - such as by installing a burglar alarm, security lighting and security cameras at your home, all of which should act as deterrents. You may also wish to join a Neighborhood Watch scheme as this will earn you good favor with an insurer.

However, it’s also worth thinking about some less conventional ways of avoiding a claim. For example, if you are replacing a door in your home make sure you fit a new one that is certified to British Standard PAS 24-1. Patio doors should have special locks at the top and bottom, while windows should be fitted with double glazing or laminated glass to make a crook’s life more difficult. If you are replacing a door lock, consider a Mortise deadlock, preferably a five-lever lock to British Standard 3621 as deadlocks can only be opened with a key.

Ensure garages and sheds are fitted with closed shackle padlocks, while double doors should use a heavy duty clasp and staple. If you have an outbuilding that connects to a house, ensure the second door is just as secure as the main door.

Fit lockable high gates to side passages and consider high walls and natural barriers such as thorny bushes in your garden. Remember that any action you take to enhance the security of your home could earn you cheap home insurance - just keep your provider informed with each step you take.