Christmas and New Year home thefts on the rise - warns
Towergate insurance broker
The Christmas and New Year festivities are not just a time for
family and friends to gather round the tree, it attracts its fair
share of unwelcome guests, too. Every year expensive presents are a
tempting lure for burglars and opportunist thieves.
According to Claims Director, Simon Gifford of Towergate
insurance brokers, festive gifts, even in a year of credit crunch,
will push up the value of home contents significantly. “With
thousands of pounds worth of tempting presents in your home," he
says, "it's essential to not only keep an eye on your locks and
security but also ensure that you have adequate insurance
protection in place."
The majority of home contents policies automatically offer extra
cover at Christmas time, but some do not - and every year the
biggest losers are those who are under-insured. It's also worth
reflecting that your fridge and freezer will be chock full of
expensive food at this time of year, and a power cut or a break
down will spoil more than your Christmas lunch if you are
uninsured.
Whatever the pressures of the credit crunch, Christmas is no
time to cut back on your insurance cover, the advisers say. And
nor, it seems, are January, February and March. Because, according
to recent figures from the Association of British Insurers you have
nearly a 20 per cent higher chance of being burgled in the first
three months of the year - there were 97,000 claims in the first
quarter of 2008, for instance, compared with 82,000 in the
following spring and summer quarters.
"Theft always goes up in a recession," says Simon Gifford. "So
it's doubly important this Christmas to make sure that you’ve got
the full support of a water-tight insurance policy to provide peace
of mind."
Here then are Towergate's top tips for Christmas and the New
Year:
- Make sure your home contents policy is adequate and gives you
an automatic cover increase for Christmas
- Ensure your Christmas lights are wired correctly. Poor wiring
is a source of many accidents and much damage over the festive
period. If in doubt consult a qualified electrician
- If you are away from home over the holiday, keep valuables
locked up and ask a neighbour to check on your house
- Don't tempt any unwanted guests - keep all presents out of
view
- Try and keep receipts and proof of purchase for all the
expensive presents you give and receive
- If you are away over the festive period ensure your home has
the impression of being occupied to deter any unwelcome
guests.
Media Contacts
Russell O'Connor
Group Communications Manager
Towergate
Tel: 01622 656782
Mobile: 07760 282586
Email: Russell.o'connor@towergate.co.uk