Warning: thieves won't be on holiday this summer!
If you're looking forward to a relaxing get away this summer, make sure you protect your property from burglars while you're on holiday. After all, while the cat's away…
If you're getting ready to jet off to sunnier shores, you're likely to be far more concerned with finding the perfect pair of flip flops than dealing with the more mundane issue of home insurance.
However, while you're away, your home is left empty and consequently is at greater risk of burglary.
According to recent research by Direct Line Home Insurance, 800,000 families have been the victim of burglary while away on holiday. The study also showed that June and August are the two worst months for burglary, experiencing more claims than at any other time of year.
Therefore, amidst the excitement of preparing for your holiday, don't forget to spare a thought for the security of your property and possessions while you're gone.
Recession risk
Sadly, in times of economic hardship we're all at an increased risk of being burgled. This is because property related crime tends to increase during a recession.
Crime figures released by the Home Office last month revealed a 1% rise in burglaries - the first increase for six years.
And according to recent research by Halifax Home Insurance, one in seven people feel more at threat from burglary since the recession started.
Therefore, it's more important now than ever to ensure your belongings are adequately insured.
If you don't and disaster does strike, you could be left hundreds or even thousands of pounds out of pocket - and right now, spending a fortune replacing lost belongings is not something many of us can afford to do.
Ensure you're insured
Although home contents insurance is not compulsory, I think it should be considered a necessity for most people due to the impact a fire or burglary could have on any household's finances.
In order to ensure you have adequate cover in place, it's vital you calculate the value of your possessions accurately. This should ensure you pay an appropriate price for your premium, as well as provide you with the right amount of protection.
If you underinsure yourself, you could end up facing serious financial fallout should you need to make a claim later down the line.
On the other hand, if you overinsure yourself you could end up paying unnecessarily high premiums.
It's also crucial to remember very expensive items such as antiques should be professionally valued and insured individually. Therefore, if you make a big buy, don't forget to notify your insurer immediately to ensure you will be covered should something happen.
It's also a good idea to try and reduce the risk you pose to your insurer by increasing the security in your home. Informing your insurance company if you install an insurer-approved alarm system or safe in your home could help lower the price of your premium.
However, never mislead you insurer by claiming to have a more sophisticated security system in place than you actually have, as this may cause you serious difficulties should you need to make a claim in the future.
Remember, it's never a good idea to simply renew your policy with your existing insurer before you've taken the time to shop around for the most competitive deal.
Using an online comparison tool such as BeatThatQuote.com's home insurance service can help you compare a range of different quotes quickly and easily - without costing you a penny for the privilege.
You can learn more about how to reduce the price of your home insurance premiums by reading my article 'Cut your costs, not your cover.'
My top security tips
Here are eight simple things you can do to help reduce the risk your home will be targeted by thieves while you're away.
· Lock up properly. Make sure you replace any old, weak locks on your doors and windows and ensure they are secure before you leave the house. This may sound obvious but, according to research by Halifax, 29% of burglaries last year were 'unforced' - which means that thieves entered the burgled homes through open or unlocked doors and windows. Be aware that your insurance may not cover you for property lost due to an unforced burglary.
· Don't advertise to thieves. Avoid leaving valuables within easy reach, or visible through windows. This could tempt opportunist thieves passing by.
· Install a burglar alarm. Fitting security lighting and a burglar alarm can act as a deterrent to thieves. Remember to check all your security devices are working before you go away.
· Don't leave keys under the mat. Never leave a set of keys 'hidden' outside! Regardless of how clever you think your hiding place is, most burglars will know where to look - and if a thief were to enter your home with a key you had carelessly left, you could face problems when making an insurance claim.
· Secure your shed. Make sure your garden tools and ladders are locked away, as these items could help thieves break into your home.
· Lock your valuables in a safe. Consider installing a safe or using a safety deposit box to store small valuables such as jewellery, watches and credit cards.
· Look like you're at home. Try not to make it obvious that you're away. Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries and don't leave your curtains drawn during daylight hours. Ask a kind neighbour or family member to pop round and pick up your post so it doesn't pile up outside.
· Mark your property. Use an ultra violet pen to write the postcode on your valuables so they are easily identifiable if the worst happens and they are recovered by the police. It's also a good idea to keep receipts for valuable items, as this could help prove their value in the event you needed to claim for them on your insurance.
**Articles featured on BeatThatQuote.com are for information purposes only and reflect the views of individual writers. Articles are not, and should not be considered as, financial advice. BeatThatQuote.com strongly encourages our readers not to rely solely on information contained within this article/our website, but to conduct their own research and seek independent advice about the financial products they purchase.**
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