Home Insurance Hints and Tips
The following articles provide useful information on your home insurance and related topics.
Securing Your Home
It is important to ensure all doors and windows in your home are fitted with approved locks to prevent thieves gaining entry. However - do not leave spare keys hidden under door mats or flowerpots!
Burglar alarms offer effective safety and can be even more of a deterrent when the bell box is fixed in a visible location. It is recommended that burglar alarms are maintained on an annual basis. Consider fitting door chains and peep-holes and always request ID from unexpected callers e.g. tradesmen. Don't forget that home security also extends to outbuildings, so ensure garages and sheds are locked to prevent theft or thieves utilising ladders and tools to access the main property.
Exterior lighting can also deter thieves, so consider installing either movement activated or always-on lighting.
Remember:
- Fit all windows with approved locks
- Never leave spare keys in obvious places outside the home
- Fit a burglar alarm and have it regularly maintained
- Ensure outbuildings are secure
Securing Your Home Whilst You Are Away
Everyone loves to go on holiday but you want to come back and find everything as you left it. Your home is most vulnerable when it is empty so don't advertise that you are away on holiday.
Plan ahead by following the checklist below before you go away.
Remember:
- Make sure all your doors and windows are locked before you leave.
- Securely lock away all keys and financial documents.
- Let your neighbours know that you have gone away.
- Ask a neighbour or friend to check on your house regularly and to collect or push the post through the door or post box. Ask them to make the house look occupied - draw the curtains and water the garden and outdoor plants.
- Set your alarms.
- Consider putting your lights and possibly a radio on a timer so that it seems that someone is home.
