Beat summer burglars with coverage considerations

Posted : 14-07-2008

With more burglaries occurring during the summer months as people head away on holiday, an insurance industry body has issued some advice to help consumers safeguard their properties.

In addition to ensuring they have the appropriate home insurance coverage, the Insurance Information Institute (III) has urged homeowners to implement measures that will make it time-consuming for a burglar to break into their home, such as dead-bolting windows and locking doors.

They may also be able to obtain a discount of up to five per cent on their home insurance policy for installing these devices, the non-profit organisation claims.

Homeowners should also invest in burglar alarms - for which a sophisticated system can reduce home insurance policies by between 15 and 20 per cent - as well as ensuring they have strong doors made of metal or solid hardwood that are at least 1.75 inches thick and fit the frame securely.

Other advice includes turning off computers, ensuring valuables are hidden and locked away and keeping homes well lit.

"Once in your home, a burglar can easily steal computer equipment, televisions, CD and DVD players, as well as jewellery and other valuable items," Jeanne Salvatore, the III's senior vice president and consumer spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Newcastle Building Society has found 11 per cent of consumers leave their front doors unlocked and 17 per cent forget to set their burglar alarms.

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