Christmas is a time of goodwill to all men and for most of us this is true. But, with the big day approaching and presents being placed under the tree, it can also be a time of great temptation for some and there are often an increase in burglaries at this time of the year when there are more valuable items than ever in the home.
Stockport’s C&C Insurance Brokers are keen to ensure that, in the unfortunate event of any of us being a victim of burglary, that we are well covered.
“With many giving and receiving presents, it’s worth checking to see if your contents cover is adequate to cover you in the event of burglary – and it would be worth a call to your insurer if you think you might need extra protection over the coming weeks. It’s also worth hanging onto any receipts you have for presents you’ve bought but have yet to give – these would be useful in the event of a claim for a loss at your home.
“Whatever the time of year, it’s important to choose the right sum insured”; research suggests one in five homes are under insured.
“Even if you have contents insurance and your insurer gives you additional cover for all those Christmas presents, you could still find a claim turned down if you fail to make sure your home is secure in line with your policy.
“Often, home insurance policy documents will state that you must take “reasonable care” of your property in order for your policy to remain valid.
“It is important then to make sure you keep your home secure at all times. Here are a few tips for keeping out intruders:
- Make sure your valuables cannot be seen through the windows, tempting gift wrapped presents should not be left on show
- Make sure all doors and windows are locked before leaving the house. Even if you’re inside the house, be aware that thieves could sneak in through an open window or unlocked door
- If you have outdoor Christmas lights and you’re feeding the cable through your window, you need to make sure the window can’t then be pried open. The best option might be to use battery or solar powered outdoor lights.
- In the evening, houses should look ‘occupied’ with lights on and curtains closed
- Presents should be removed overnight from vehicles. I possible, they should be kept indoors and out of sight.
- If the gifts you’ve bought came in boxes advertising what was inside, don’t leave them on display by your bins, as they could serve as an inventory of what’s in your home for burglars. Break the boxes down as much as possible and mix them in with the regular rubbish, or head to the tip or recycling centre.
- If you’re going away for an extended period, check your contents and your buildings insurance. If your property is empty for more than 30 days at a stretch, your cover may be invalidated, so you’d need an additional policy.
- Also if you are going away – don’t publicise it on Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media sites.
- Burglar alarms help to lower your home insurance premiums, but you must remember to set them before heading out”.
For more information and tips on insuring your home this Christmas, contact C&C Insurance Brokers on 0161 406 4800.