How to protect your home from thieves this summer
Homes prove hot targets for thieves in July and August
- Peak summer months, July and August, see highest volume of home insurance claims
- Average of 208 claims in July and August with 3pm-6pm being prime time for thieves to strike
- Top stolen items include pedal cycles, electrical goods, and jewellery, according to Tesco Bank
Internal analysis from Tesco Bank’s home insurance claims has revealed that July and August see the highest volume of theft claims, with an average of 208 claims in these two months alone over the past five years. This comes as a growing trend of thefts have been occurring in summer, with 573 claims alone in 2022 compared to 331 in 2021.
Further analysis of Tesco Bank’s claims data found that while 3pm to 6pm accounted for 16% of theft claims, there is now an increasing trend of thefts occurring between 6pm to 9pm and midnight to 3am.
Dave Thompson, Director of Claims at Tesco Bank, comments: “With summer in full swing, many households are spending more time outdoors or opening the windows to enjoy the cooler breeze. However, it’s important not to overlook the need to secure your home against opportunistic thieves when you’re away from the house or before going to sleep. Unlocked doors or open windows can present too good an opportunity for burglars. To help, there are a few simple steps you can take to mitigate some of the risks and help keep you and your belongings protected.”
With bicycles, electronics and jewellery amongst the most popular stolen items, Dave Thompson, Director of Claims at Tesco Bank, has shared his tips on how best to protect these items against thieves:
Pedal cycles
While there are many types of bike lock on the market, it’s important to invest in one that will not only last but is also recognised by your insurance provider. When shopping around for the best option, start by seeing if your home contents insurance offers a lock recommendation and keep an eye out for brands that provide a Gold-standard rating as this will help ensure you’re covered against any thefts.
Electrical goods
The easiest thing to do to prevent your electronics from being stolen is to keep them out of plain sight. Get into the habit of putting your laptop, tablet, or phone away from windows where they can be spotted. For bigger items like your TV, investigate things like access caps to prevent thieves from unscrewing the cable, or a lockable wall mount. If you’ve recently bought a new flat screen or expensive gadget, it’s worth updating your home insurance policy to ensure you’re protected.
Jewellery
Similar to electronic goods, you should keep any jewellery away from windows or locations where they can be easily spotted or found. Burglars are likely to rummage through drawers or cupboards first, so it’s worth investing in a proper safe or safety deposit box and keeping it in a secure place only you and your close family members know of.
