With Christmas just around the corner, it is a safe bet to assume that most houses have presents under the bed or in the wardrobe, hidden safe from excited kids.
But are they really safe?
While this is the time of year for stocking up on presents it is also the time of the year with an exceptionally high crime rate. Last year around 70,000 houses (ABI, 2011) were broken into in the run up to Christmas, so it is important to take some precautions for the festive season.
Aside from barring your windows, there are other things you can do to protect your presents. First of all, make sure you let your insurer know if you have any gifts worth over GBP1,000 in the house, as it can be a pain claiming on expenses like this if your insurer isn’t aware of the item.
Another tip is to pay for your gifts with bank cards. While it is possible to pay by cash and keep a paper receipt as proof of purchase of a gift, it is often good to have the bank record of the transaction available as well. If you do pay by cash, make sure keep your receipt in a safe place because without it you will have a very hard time persuading an insurer to cover anything.
There are also a number of things you can do to make sure nothing goes missing in the first place. Here are a few:
– Don’t leave presents where they can easily be seen from outside. This counts for in the car as well. Try to leave your gifts in the cupboard or the boot of your car.
– Always park in a well lit area when shopping.
– If you leave the house for a few days let your neighbour know that you wont be around.
– If you are out of the house, leave the lights on or set them on timers so that it looks like you are home.
– When unloading items from you car, don’t leave the door open when you are taking a load inside. Many thefts, even car thefts, happen this way.
