Consumers are being warned to not let thieves smash their Christmas, with the common home housebreaking declare over the festive season final yr standing at greater than £3,000.
In keeping with the Affiliation of British Insurers (ABI), insurers handled the equal of 185 home housebreaking claims day-after-day over the December festive season in 2022, and the common declare worth jumped to £3,098, marking a 15% improve in contrast with July to September final yr.
The ABI stated many insurers will mechanically improve cowl over the vacation season, however individuals ought to at all times test their coverage phrases and situations and, if they’re nonetheless uncertain, converse to their insurer.
To thwart Christmas thieves, the ABI’s recommendation is to:
– Wherever attainable keep away from leaving presents in an unattended car. If you must, then guarantee that they’re out of sight in a locked boot.
– When placing items beneath the Christmas tree, make sure that they don’t seem to be simply seen from the skin, or retailer them away elsewhere.
– Assume twice about what you submit on social media. Keep away from particulars of pricey items corresponding to jewelry. If you’re planning to go away over the festive interval, don’t promote the truth that you may be leaving your house unoccupied.
– If you’re going away, make sure that your house is left safe. If attainable, ask a trusted neighbour or pal to maintain an eye fixed out for something suspicious.
– Even when solely popping spherical to the neighbour’s house for a festive tipple, at all times lock your entrance door.
– Safe any outbuildings, sheds and garages. They could retailer gadgets, corresponding to instruments and ladders, that might be utilized by criminals to interrupt into your house.
– When out and about Christmas buying, be conscious that pickpockets might be ready to strike.
Louise Clarke, the ABI’s coverage adviser, common insurance coverage, stated: “Thieves love Christmas. With many households spending a whole lot of kilos on presents, this could be a very worthwhile time for criminals.
“Be sure to have satisfactory contents insurance coverage to exchange stolen items ought to the worst occur, though this will by no means compensate for the misery that thieves trigger. Being additional security-conscious this month may also help be certain that you keep in mind Christmas for all the correct causes.”
The danger of harm may improve for some individuals over Christmas.
Insurance coverage large Aviva stated claims it has handled beforehand embrace these for broken devices, together with a smashed iPad after it was dropped on the ground, and a broken tv after a buyer slipped on a small toy and fell on to the TV.
Aviva has additionally handled claims for broken carpets and rugs from crimson wine spillages and knocked-over candles, in addition to claims for broken cookers and hobs from cooking Christmas dinner.
Hazel Johnson, director of house and motor claims at Aviva, stated: “Whereas the vacation season is meant to be a time for celebration, Aviva information reveals that for some it may well convey sudden surprises, together with unintended injury to property, burst or frozen pipes, broken-down fridge-freezers, crimson wine spillages, fires began by Christmas candles, and, sadly, occurrences of theft and malicious injury to properties.
“Though some incidents could also be comparatively easy to repair, some claims could cause misery to prospects over the Christmas interval, particularly these which contain fires, escape of water, or theft.
“With this in thoughts, we urge our prospects to remain alert over the vacation season, to allow them to proceed to get pleasure from their festivities. This consists of ensuring that candles or fires aren’t left unattended, turning off water and securing properties if they’re away from house.”