Top Tips to Avoid Becoming a Festive Season Burglary Statistic

Wrap your presents, check your latches and update your insurance cover - the holiday season is upon us. 

During the Christmas holidays, thousands of New Zealanders leave their homes for a well-deserved break but what's worse than returning home to find you've been burgled, is discovering that your contents insurance cover has lapsed or is inadequate to cover your loss. 

According to the Insurance Claims Register (ICR), which represents approximately 85% of claims made to insurers, in January 2014 there were about 2,600 burglary-related insurance claims from private houses and commercial premises.  In the 12 months from July 2013 to Jun 2014 there were over 30,000 burglary-related insurance claims totalling $14.5 million. 

"No-one wants to become a burglary statistic during this holiday season but if it did happen you want to be sure your policy is up to date and that you're adequately covered for any losses," says Insurance Council Chief Executive Tim Grafton.  

"We estimate that one in five Kiwis don’t have insurance to cover for their house contents but we'd strongly recommend everyone consider taking out insurance for any possible loss that may occur through theft or a natural disaster like flooding,” he says. 

“Checking and updating your insurance policies during the festive season should be as instinctive as putting up your Christmas tree,” says Mr Grafton. 

Here are some simple steps the Insurance Council recommends will help with peace of mind over the holiday period: 

• Ensure your home and contents policy is up to date and that you are adequately insured
• Make a detailed list of your possessions, including serial numbers and model numbers
• Mark all ‘big ticket’ items with a code or name to prove your ownership
• Register your valuable possessions on the Police website www.snap.org.nz – it will make it easier for Police to track down goods and assist with your contents claims
• Ask your neighbours, friends or family to pick-up any newspapers or mail that builds up while you are away from home
• Take photos of special items and jewellery and keep them with a copy of your insurance policy

Review your cover after Christmas to include any valuable items you may receiveIn addition, it’s important to check with your insurer what you are, or are not, covered for under your home and contents policy if: 

• you are away from your home for a longer period
• friends are staying in your home while you are away
• you are planning to make your home available for a house swap.