It's Getting More Difficult To Claim On Home Insurance

Summary
Make sure your home has all the necessary security measures required by your insurance company in the event that you are burgled and need to make a claim. Buy extra locks for windows and doors if you need to and consider fitting an alarm.

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It's Getting More Difficult To Claim On Home Insurance: Make sure your home has all the necessary security measures required by your insurance company in the event that you are burgled and need to make a claim. Buy extra locks for windows and doors if you need to and consider fitting an alarm.

Life Insurance News

The next few months are a prime time for burglars as the nights begin to draw in and kids are back at school during the day.

So if you are among the 25per cent of UK homeowners that do not have insurance this is an ideal time to take out a policy, make sure your home security is sufficient, and check that your policy will pay out if you are burgled.

If you do not fit British Standard-approved locks and bolts, or a window is left wide open, for example, your insurer can refuse a claim for theft or damage.

The precise measures you need to adopt will depend on your insurer and your address. London , Liverpool and Bradford face some of the highest costs for home insurance, while rural areas such as Devon, Fife and Powys are among the cheapest.

People who live in a low-risk area may only have to fit standard locks. But if you reside in a high-risk area or have more than 50,000 pounds worth of contents, insurers require five-lever mortice deadlocks on all outside doors and key-operated locks on windows.

Most DIY stores sell five-lever mortice deadlocks for as little as 20 pounds. Window locks are priced at between 5 and 10 pounds.

If you are burgled you have to provide your insurer with a police report. If there is no sign of forced entry your claim will be refused. Flats with a communal entrance can face a greater risk of burglary, especially if fellow residents forget to close the doors.

Insurers may still pay out if burglars gained entry through an open main entrance, as long as you locked your own door. If your claim is refused you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Unfortunately, insurers are unlikely to lower your premiums for fitting locks and alarms or belonging to your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. These usually exist in low-risk, rural areas where people are already vigilant and premiums are generally lower. "

A good way to see what security measures you need is to put yourself in the burglar's shoes and critically examine the weak points in your home.

The Home Office crime reduction website also gives tips on protecting your home.

According to home security firm ADT, installing a reputable alarm system costs, on average, between 300 and 500 pounds.

For a further 25 pounds a month the system can be connected to a security firm or your local police station making it all the more effective. Installing sensor lighting outside or even your own CCTV system are also good deterrents.

Meanwhile, there are a number of things you should not do. It is not a good idea to line your fences or walls with broken glass or barbed wire, according to Laura Rich, crime prevention officer based at Southampton Central Police Station. Apart from being unsightly, it could backfire.

"Imagine a delivery person catching themselves on some glass. Local pets and wildlife can also be harmed. You could be the one who ends up getting into trouble," says Rich.

Improving security measures will not only make you feel safer; it may save you money in the longer term because if you really are burgled your insurance premiums will rocket