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Contents Insurance Info
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- UV Markers
Mark your most prized possessions
preferably using a Ultra violet marker. These
can be bought cheaply at local stationers.
This will help considerably in the recovery
of goods in the event of a theft claim.
Photographs
Photograph everything you have! -
preferably using a digital camera. Make sure
you store the images away from your home in
case of theft or fire. This will help considerably
in the event of a claim.
CCTV
Available now at many high street retail outlets
for very little expense. Use our search box
above to find out more about CCTV
Alarms and Security (find
an alarm company)
Additional security for your home is a great
way to get discounts on your buildings and
contents insurance UK premiums, as well as
ensuring your home is protected from the opportunist
or professional thief alike. However, most
security experts agree that going to the expense
of fitting an alarm system is a waste of time
if your other security arrangements aren’t
in order.
Window and Door locks (Find
a locksmith)
Ensure that all external doors are fitted
with deadlocks to British Standard 3621.
These ensure that, once locked, the door can
only be opened with a key. This prevents anyone
simply breaking some door glass and then opening
the lock. Better still, if someone does gain
access to the property another way, they won’t
be able to open the doors which should make
walking out with your new television set a
lot more difficult.
Consider fitting additional key operated deadlocks
to the top and bottom of external doors. This
makes them more resistant to being forced
by an intruder.
If your doorframe isn’t particularly strong,
it may give way before the bolts and locks
do. You could consider strengthening the frame.
Windows or skylights that are easily accessible
to thieves should be fitted with visible key
operated window locks. These might not prevent
entry, but a thief would have to smash the
window glass to do so, drawing attention to
themselves.
Patio Doors should be secured
top and bottom with approved key operated
locks in order to prevent a would-be intruder
simply lifting them off their runners to gain
access to your home.
Security Lighting
Fit PIR (passive infra red) infrared security
lighting. This comes on automatically when
the sensor is triggered by guests to your
home, and detering would be thieves.
Valuables
Keep valuables out of sight! Don’t encourage
a thief to break in. Works of art or expensive
stereos located within street view encourage
theft
Holidays
The majority of burglaries take place when
your home is empty - so ensure that your home
doesn’t look empty. Use time switches to turn
interior lights on and off, as well as appliances
like radios to create the illusion that you
are in the home - when you’re away. There
are some devices now which vary the appliance
and time it is automatically switched on
Deliveries
Ensure that you cancel milk or newspaper deliveries
if you are going away for a while
Spare keys
Don’t hide spare keys in a ‘secret’ place.
It might be useful if you’re locked out, but
it’s pretty handy for an opportunist burglar
too. If you are worried about being locked
out, then leave a key with a trusted neighbour
or friend nearby.
Garden sheds Outhouses and tools
Don’t forget sheds, garages or outhouses.
They are often left unlocked, or have inadequate
security. Not only are they likely to contain
some valuable items (e.g. cycles, tools etc.)
but a would-be burglar can use your own tools
to break into your home!
Ladders
Ensure that ladders are locked away securely
too. If you can’t keep them inside, then ensure
they are locked up outside, so they can’t
be used by a burglar to gain access to upstairs
windows in your property.
Alarm systems (find
an alarm company)
If you live in a theft referral area, or have
a high Contents value and you want to lower
your premiums, you may wish to consider fitting
an alarm to your house. Alarm systems can
give large discounts to your home contents
insurance premiums - but bear in mind these
can vary from insurer to insurer. You’ll need
a NACOSS approved system to get a discount.
An alarm system also acts as an excellent
visual deterrent. In fact if you can’t afford
an alarm system, then consider a dummy alarm
box to give the appearance of the real thing.
Search
Use our search facility in the box above to
locate websites that deal in the particular
security consideration mentioned. Just enter
a relevant search term.
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