Home Insurance Theft Claims to Double

Claims for theft will double in 2009 according to the home insurance provider Hiscox. So how can you protect your home?
The Bermuda based insurer has predicted that theft claims will leap by 100 per cent as the Home Secretary warned that burglaries are on the rise. At the end of 2008, the Home Office reported a four per cent increase in domestic burglaries.
Thefts are on the rise because individuals have been so badly hit by the recession. With the recent boom presenting such prosperous times, people have had more to lose when the credit crunch hit home and many are targeting valuables in other people's properties including jewellery, fine art and digital equipment.
Consequently, property owners have been urged to check their home insurance policies are up to date with adequate contents insurance for their most recent purchases included. According to Hiscox, the average value of household contents has increased by 20 per cent in the last five years.
Homeowners should also take steps to prevent burglaries from taking place. It is recommended that they fit NACOSS burglar alarms and invest in five-lever mortise locks for all external doors. Consider investing in double glazing and ensure that all windows and doors have suitable key operated locks. Remember to keep these keys out of sight once you have locked up.
Other security measures that could be worthwhile include fitting security lighting outside a property, installing security cameras and time-switch lights. If you're going to leave the home unoccupied for a lengthy period ask a friend or family member you trust to collect your post for you and open and close curtains to make it seem as though someone is at home.
If you feel your home insurance protection is not adequate then you can compare home insurance online with a comparison website and find a more thorough policy - most insurers will also offer discounts for suitable security improvements.
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Home Insurance For Water Claims

Since 22nd December 2008, Sainsbury's Bank home insurance estimates that there have been 13,000 claims linked to water damage under the category 'forcible/violent bursting'. So how can you protect your home?
Freezing weather conditions and large rainfall has meant that Britain has become more susceptible than ever to home insurance claims linked to water damage. With temperatures dropping as low as minus 10°C it is likely that there will be more claims to come. As a result homeowners are urged to check the terms of their home insurance policies and take all the action they can to ensure their properties are well prepared for this spate of bad weather.
The first step is to ensure your home insurance policy is up to date and that you have a good level of contents cover. This should incorporate all new items that were brought into the home over the festive season so you're not left short of cover if the worst occurs.
Though these are tough economic times and you may want to save money wherever you can, switching the heating off can prove to be a false economy as this makes pipes more likely to freeze and burst. Leave the heating on a low setting of at least 10°C if you plan to leave the house for a few days.
Locate the main stopcock at your home and ensure that you can turn it off and on. If you have a meter specifically for water, the off switch will be located there - normally outside the home.
Consider investing in pipe insulation. Insulation can be bought for as little as £10 and could save you enough money in reduced energy bills over one year to pay for itself - not to mention the fact that you could avoid a home insurance claim.
Just in case the worst happens make sure you know your home insurance provider's telephone number and check to see if your policy includes home emergency cover so you can arrange for repairs. If your policy isn't adequate compare home insurance online and find more suitable coverage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Gregory

Simple Steps to Avoid Home Insurance Claims

The Government has promised a £20 million crime prevention fund to increase security measures for the vulnerable - but research from a home insurance provider shows that simple steps by property owners could drastically reduce the risk of crime.
With a four per cent rise in domestic burglaries, homeowners are being urged to protect their properties to avoid home insurance claims. Failure to secure your home properly could even lead to a home insurance claim being thrown out for negligence - such as if you leave a door or window open while the property is unoccupied.
Clearly preventing a crime is important - though home insurance is a safety net in case the worst happens it's best to avoid claims to build up a no-claims bonus which can be worth as much as 75 per cent over five years with some providers and to avoid paying the policy's excess. So what measures can homeowners take?
One step is to fit deadlocks and key-operated bolts to all external doors. Don't overlook windows either - key-operated locks should be installed to any accessible windows and you should ensure that keys are kept out of sight. Whenever you leave the home, carry out a quick spot-check to ensure you have locked up appropriately and never leave keys in a 'secret' hiding place such as under a doormat or plant pot, as thieves know where to look.
Taking care of outbuildings is important too - and each should be secured with a padlock. Make sure you put away any garden tools and ladders before nightfall as they can be used to gain access to a property.
Check the identity of any callers before opening a door - either by using a spy hole or a chain. If the worst does happen and you are burgled, it will help if you have security markings on valuables as this will increase the chances of them being returned. Take photographs of valuables too, to assist with home insurance claims.
Remember that taking steps to improve security can help you earn cheap home insurance Most home insurance providers will offer discounts if you fit approved alarm systems, time-switch lights and join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Gregory