Insurance claims for theft via forcible and violent entry spike between September, October, and November, as the nights grow longer and darker and the clocks go back, Aviva has warned.
Some 9% of people have been burgled in the past year, a poll from the insurer shows, while a quarter (25%) of people have been burgled before.
Jonathan Cracknell, underwriting manager at Aviva, said: “This seasonal trend, which we may see again in 2024, underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to secure homes and possessions against would-be thieves, especially with the clocks going back this weekend.
“Alongside practical security measures such as installing motion sensor lights and using security cameras or video doorbells, having the right home insurance is crucial for providing peace of mind and financial protection in the unfortunate event of a break-in, allowing people to recover and rebuild both emotionally and financially without bearing the full burden of the costs.”
The average cost of damages and items stolen during a break-in was £3,896, with those aged 35-44 who have been burgled before seeing the highest cost at £7,199.
While locking doors and windows is a fundamental security measure to keep properties and belongings safe, alarmingly, just under half (46%) of people do not lock all doors that provide access to the property when they are at home and awake, and over a quarter (28%) of people do not lock all doors when they go to sleep.
Aviva has provided some home security tips to help protect your home and belongings during the darker months:
- Install a security system. A comprehensive security system with cameras, video doorbells and alarms may help deter burglars. Displaying signs that indicate your home is protected could also be effective.
- Enhance outdoor lighting. Alongside a comprehensive security system, motion-activated lights can eliminate dark spots and act as a deterrent by alerting you to a potential burglar.
- Keep your home secure, even when in the property. Ensuring your property is secure is vital to protecting your home and belongings from incidents of vandalism or theft. If someone can easily enter a property, such as by using a key left under a plant pot, or entering through an unlocked door, there’s a chance that a claim may be declined.
- Reinforce sliding doors and windows. Burglars will look for weak spots in home security. Use rods or pins to prevent sliding doors and windows from being forced open.
- Keep your valuables out of sight. Ensure that valuable items such as laptops, tablets and jewellery are not visible from windows to avoid prying eyes and opportunist thieves. It’s also a good idea to hang keys away from doors, windows, or letterboxes, as thieves can use coat hangers and fishing rods to hook them.
- Get to know your neighbours. Getting to know your neighbours and establishing a community watch can help monitor suspicious or unexpected activities around your property, enhancing neighbourhood security, especially if you’re away from home.
- Make your home seem occupied if you are away. Use timers or leave lights on if you’re out and about and aren’t going to get back before dark, or if you are away on holiday. It’s also a good idea to leave a radio on to give the impression that someone is home.
- Let your insurance know if you are leaving your house unoccupied for a significant length of time. Leaving your home unoccupied can increase the risk of a break-in. Most insurance policies specify the number of days a property can be left empty without invalidating insurance, e.g., up to four weeks, but if you plan on leaving your property empty for a significant period of time, you should let your insurance provider know.
- Review your home contents insurance policy. It’s important to understand what level of contents insurance you need. If you don’t have enough, your policy might not pay out to replace all your belongings after a break in. Just ovezr one in seven people (15%) don’t think they could provide an accurate estimation of the value of the contents in their home, but Aviva’s free home contents value calculator can help you estimate the cover you’re likely to need based on what you own. Reassess your home insurance needs annually and shop around for different cover if your needs change.
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