Keep your valuables safe this summer!

Poor David Cameron – two bikes stolen in twelve months! Perhaps now is the time to check that your own beloved bike, bag and BlackBerry are insured in case disaster strikes while you’re out and about.

It’s been all over the news in the past week or so: the Conservative Party leader and cycling enthusiast, David Cameron, has fallen victim to bike theft for the second time in just one year.

And the unlucky Tory is not alone in his plight. Everyone knows someone who’s had their bike swiped, handbag snatched or mobile nicked on a night out.

But when was the last time you checked that your valuables are insured outside the confines of your own home?

If something happens to your precious belongings and you’re not insured, you could have to fork out hundreds and hundreds of pounds to replace them.

Bolt down your bike
Since the start of the credit crunch, increasing numbers of people have started cycling in order to save cash. According to a survey by ActSmart, bike retailers reported a 48% increase in sales from February to March this year.

Unfortunately for cyclists, this summer looks set to be a bumper season for bike thieves.

The Home Office’s British Crime Survey shows June to October is consistently the busiest period of the year for bicycle theft – and with the recession now biting, 2009 could see crime figures climb even higher than usual.

Here are five simple security tips to help you combat cycle crime:

• Secure your bike with a heavy duty lock and chain, regardless of how long you’ll be away from it.
• Make use of bicycle parking racks situated in busy city centres.
• Don’t chain down your bike in an isolated location where thieves can operate without being seen.
• When your bike is at home, keep it locked away out of sight.
• Use an ultraviolet marking pen to write your postcode on your bike so it is easily identifiable if recovered by police.

While these tips should help to deter thieves, they are no substitute for an adequate insurance policy.

Check to see if your home insurance policy offers bike cover as standard. If not, consider extending your policy to cover your bike when you’re away from home. This may be cheaper than taking out an individual bike insurance policy.

Also, ensure you take a photograph of your bike and keep the receipt for it somewhere safe. This will make life much easier if you ever do have to place a claim.

Keep a hand on your handbag
Do you have any idea how much the contents of your bag are worth?

According to recent research by More Than, on average we ladies carry around a whopping £774.31 worth of goods in our bags on a daily basis!

Intrigued (and sceptical), I sat down to examine the clutter in my own handbag. After adding up how much it would cost to replace everything I’d lose if I were robbed, I was staggered to find I would have to shell out a terrifying £550 - and my handbag is only from Topshop!

Losing your bag is not only an expensive experience; it’s also a massive inconvenience. It could take days to cancel credit cards, get new keys cut and replace your driving license. But for me, the biggest heartache would be if I lost items with sentimental value, as these would not be replaceable.

Worryingly, according to More Than’s research, one in ten Brits have had their bag snatched in the past. However, there are things you can do to reduce the risk to your valuables:

• Keep your bag fastened and close to you at all times.
• Use handbag clips in bars and restaurants – or if there aren’t any, wrap the strap of your bag around your foot.
• Don’t leave your bag in the car where it is visible to thieves.
• Only carry what you need for that day and avoid carting around large amounts of cash.
• Be sensible. Never keep a record of your PIN near your plastic.

Sadly, following these tips cannot guarantee your bag will stay safe – so it’s vital you are properly insured.

Check that your home insurance covers your personal possessions when they’re outside your home. You may pay a slightly higher premium if you have to upgrade your cover, but this may be cheaper than taking out an individual handbag insurance policy. It’s a good idea to check which option offers better value before making a decision.

Guard your gadgets

According to research by More Than, two thirds of us carry around expensive electronic items.

Mobile phones, iPods and laptops are often among the most expensive items to replace if you’re the victim of crime. Together, my own iPod and mobile are worth well over £200.

It is therefore vital that you have an insurance policy in place which will cover your gadgets should they go missing.

Mobile phone insurance can be expensive – so consider taking out an ‘all risks’ addition to your home insurance policy which will cover your electronics when you take them out of the house.

Make sure you check the terms of the conditions of your policy carefully as it may not cover you for calls made by someone else if your phone is stolen. If you are worried about fraud and want to take out a separate mobile insurance policy, don’t just accept the first price your provider offers you. Shopping around for cover online could help you find a cheaper deal.

Finally, it’s a good idea to keep details of your important contacts in a good old fashioned address book. That way, if your talkie does go for a walkie, you won’t be left in the lurch.

Safety first
Finally, remember safety first. No matter how much you adore your precious Prada purse, your friends and family love you more – so never put yourself in danger by defending your belongings.

Instead, protect yourself now and ensure you’re insured.

**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**