Unlocked Doors Give Burglars Open Entry

House burglaries are on the rise and yet many don’t lock their front door when at home and leave windows open and valuable on show.

Ageas Insurance research, done in conjunction with The Neighbourhood Watch Trust, shows that house burglaries are up some 14%.

This figure is expected to rise with warmer weather as people tend to get distracted whilst spending time in the garden, leaving doors and windows in the house unlocked, offering an easy target for burglars.

As Mark Cliff, Managing Director of Ageas Insurance commented “Canny burglars know that many people assume that by being at home, they themselves are a deterrent and so they take fewer precautions.”

Apparently 13% of adults only lock their front door at bedtime.

This really isn’t a sensible move.

As Mark Cliff added “With so few people routinely securing their home while they are there it’s no wonder that so many thefts are committed without a forced entry. It’s not about turning your home into a fortress but simply getting into the habit of locking doors and windows, regardless of the period of time the house or room is unattended.”

It’s not just about providing the opportunity though, there’s also providing the tempatation for the potential burglar. According to Ageas, homes across the UK have over £1,200 worth of valuables on display, including TVs, other electronic gadgets, pieces of art and antiques.

MoneyHighStreet.com comment: You may have a collection of modern antiques or early edition games consoles, are these junk or worth a fortune? Are they in view and providing temptation to a burglar? If so think carefully how you can better protect your valuables.

All too often owners misjudge the value of their contents when it comes to buying home insurance – either they underestimate or don’t realise the value of certain items. For example, as gold prices continue to rise, few reassess the value of their jewellery and leave themselves underinsured.

If you have high value single items, whether it be jewellery or pieces art or an antique for example, be aware that these may not automatically be covered by a standard home insurance policy.

You may need to consider a high net worth insurance policy. If in doubt, get advice from an insurance broker – there is no point in spending out on insurance cover if it doesn’t actually provide you with the cover you need.