Secure Your Home From Light-Fingered Thieves

One in four homes aren't insured. If you live in one of those homes, pay up and insure.

A few years ago, thieves broke into my home in the dark and nicked my brand new flat screen television.

Thankfully that is all they managed to get their mitts on, but I was still pretty mortified - particularly as I had only just moved in and hadn't yet bought contents insurance so couldn't claim for my loss. There was little else for them to grab given that most of my possessions were back in my old flat waiting to be moved.

I got off lightly, but imagine if you went out one night only to return and find all your valuable items gone? With darker nights approaching, opportunistic thieves may choose to strike, so I've learnt to put precautions in place.

Making sure I have buildings and contents insurance in place helps provide peace of mind, and it is well worth the money considering the value of what it covers.

Yet according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), one in four homes are not insured at all. If you're one of them, I'd recommend getting your skates on rather than risk your home.

Getting covered

Here are a few things to consider when buying a policy:

No claims discount: If you have a no claims history, look for an insurer that will offer you a no claims discount.

Unlimited cover: This ensures the cost of replacing your home or possessions is guaranteed to be paid out in full (although, on the contents insurance policy, there is likely to be a £1,500 limit on individual items).

Emergency repairs cover: This could be useful as it will pay for the cost of fixing your boiler in an emergency, for example.

Christmas cover increase: If you don't choose a policy with unlimited cover, make sure you have one that will increase it over seasonal holidays so you don't lose out if gifts are taken.

Going with the same insurer: Some insurers, like Halifax, will discount your cover if you take both contents and buildings with it. Also, you may benefit from a discount from buying it online, rather than over the phone.

Protecting your home

Making sure your property is safeguarded from thieves is important, and good insurers will discount your household insurance with each protective measure you take.

Install a burglar alarm: But make sure you activate this when you're out!

Don't leave doors and windows open when you're out: If a window is wide enough to get a human head through, a burglar can gain entry. Even if you are simply in the garden it is worth turning your alarm on.

Join an active neighbourhood watch scheme: Not only will you have more people looking out for your home, but you will also receive further advice on how to protect it.

Lock up garden furniture and equipment overnight: This can often tempt an opportunist thief and some insurance policies may have restricted limits for property left outside.

Don't leave door keys in hiding places such as underneath a pot or a mat: Thieves know all typical hiding places.

Don't leave `back soon'-type notes on display: This offers burglars a written guarantee that the property is empty.

Cancel newspapers and milk, so that you don't advertise that your property is unattended.

Use timer switches: For lights, radios and even curtains, so your property looks and sounds occupied.

Marking your property with a postcode pen and a sticker: Stating that you have done this can act as a deterrent to thieves.

If you are burgled...

Report it to the police as soon as possible and obtain an incident number

Once you have reported it to the police, telephone your insurance company, quoting the police crime reference number and giving as much detail as possible about what has been taken and any damage caused to property. Receipts and photographs of property may help speed up the claims process.

If the home has been left unsecured after a break in, make sure the police and your insurers are aware of this.

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