Homeowners forget to lock the door

Fitting burglar alarms and locks to doors and windows is common sense, yet 11% of people still leave their front door wide open to burglars each year, recent research from Newcastle Building Society revealed.

In a survey of 1,990 adults across the UK, Newcastle found that, while the majority of people understood the measures to take to reduce their home contents insurance cover, many admitted to acts of forgetfulness over the last year which could cost them dear should they need to make a claim.

The top acts of forgetfulness by UK residents included:

1. Leaving the house with appliances still running (e.g. washing machine, oven) = 58%
2. Failing to check their smoke alarm battery = 50%
3. Leaving the curtains or blinds open with possessions on display = 28%
4. Leaving the house without locking the windows = 26%
5. Leaving the house without setting the burglar alarm = 17%
6. Leaving the house without locking the doors = 11%

Some of these acts of forgetfulness occur even though people have had to make a claim on their home contents insurance in the past, further findings from the research suggest. Of all people surveyed, 34% have made a claim, with burglary the greatest reason (7%), followed by flooding damage and damage from appliances (6% for each).

Equally people seem not to refrain from such acts even though they are fully aware of measures to take to secure their homes and reduce their contents insurance cover.

Percentage of people who believe the following measures will reduce their home contents cover:

1. Fitting window locks = 76%
2. Fitting a five-lever mortice deadlock = 70%
3. Installing a NACOSS alarm system = 61%
4. Joining a neighbourhood watch scheme = 56%
5. Fitting smoke alarms = 51%
6. Being at home during the day = 32%
7. Installing time-witch lights = 21%

However, 11% of all respondents believe that owning a dog can also reduce their cover!

Steven Marks, Lending Executive at Newcastle Building Society commented: "While it is encouraging to see that many people are aware of the measures to take to reduce their home contents insurance bill, it is worrying to see the number of people who admit to forgetful acts over a year; especially if they have made a claim in the past.

"It stands to reason that leaving your home without locking the doors or setting the alarm creates a risk for burglary but it can also affect your home contents cover should you come to claim.

"If people really want to feel the benefits of their home contents cover they shouldn't leave their home at risk even if it just to pop to the shops!"

People who rent their property are less likely to have home contents insurance compared to those who own their home outright or have a mortgage (22% compared to 2% respectively).

People renting in London are less likely to have home contents insurance compared to other areas of the UK (12%).

Home owners are guiltier of leaving the house with appliances still running (60% vs. 51% people who rent their property).

People in the North of the UK are most likely to make a claim on their home contents insurance due to burglary (10%) while people in the South are most likely to make a claim due to damage from appliances or flooding (7% for both).