Contents Insurance Security & Premiums
You can substantially reduce your contents insurance premiums and the chances of suffering a burglary or theft if you take the following simple precautions to protecting your home and contents.
Home Contents Risk Management
Contents – 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.