New research from Allianz Your Cover shows that teenagers in average and in the UK are worth almost £500 every time they leave their home. Data shows that teens could be worth as much as £810 if they carry high tech gadgets such as iPads, MP3 players and portable video game consoles.
Andy James of Allianz Your Cover, said: “Young people are carrying more expensive belongings than ever before. Our research shows this figure is going up every year – over the course of two years the amount of cash teenagers are carrying has increased from £42 to £89.
“We are encouraging teenagers and their parents to do what they can to prevent theft outside of the home. Being vigilant when out, mindful of personal safety and only carrying essential items, can all help to reduce the risk of items being lost or stolen.”
It appears however parents are unaware of this spiralling trend as only 5% think their teenagers are taking more expensive items out with them when compared to this time last year.
The average teenager carries:
| In 2010 | In 2011 |
| £42 in cash | £89 in cash |
| Mobile phone worth £110 | Mobile phone worth £99 |
| And wears £230 in clothes | And wears £261 in clothes |
Parents reveal that over half (54%) of their teenage children have lost or had an item stolen – an increase from a third (29%) in 2010. This rising trend is worrying parents as nearly half (48%) think their children are vulnerable to crimes such as mugging and more than a third (35%) are more concerned than 12 months ago.
The items teenagers are most likely to lose or have stolen are
- Mobile phone (23%)
- Cash (20%)
- Watch (19%)
Andy James continues: “Of the parents whose teenage children have lost or had an item stolen, only a third (32%) have claimed or have considered claiming on their house insurance for the loss. As teenagers are carrying increasingly expensive belongings, parents should make sure their home insurance covers their teens’ possessions outside of the home if something unfortunate should happen when they are out and about.”
Source : Allianz
