Know thy neighbour, and reduce your home insurance

Posted : 19-08-2005

Millions of Britons do not know who their next-door neighbours are, according to Post Office Home Insurance.

Eight per cent of people did not know the name of their neighbours and four per cent would not be able to tell the difference between their neighbour and a stranger at the door, a survey of 1347 Neighbourhood Watch residents and 1030 members of the general public found.

Nearly 60 per cent of the general public believe crime levels are rising, compared with just 18 per cent of Neighbourhood Watch members, the survey shows.

According to the chairman of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) Roy Rudham, getting to know your neighbours makes communities safer places.

Claire Oldstein head of Home Insurance at the Post Office, added: "It is clear that Neighbourhood Watch members benefit from their local schemes and the feeling of safety and community they bring. Less crime in an area also means lower household premiums for all so everyone benefits."

Areas with higher crime rates tend to bring higher premiums for homeowners, with the increased risk of theft or break-in taken into account when issuing policies.

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