Ensure your home insurance is up to date as nights draw in

Homes in Doncaster and Bristol have been revealed as the most likely in the UK to make a claim for theft or burglary on their home insurance, according to research from moneysupermarket.com.

The UK's leading price comparison site found almost six per cent of homes in the South Yorkshire town of Doncaster and West Country city of Bristol have made a claim for theft or burglary in the last 12 months. Canvey Island, lying off the south coast of Essex, comes in a close third place at just over five per cent.

Less surprising results showed that seven out of the top 20 UK postcodes for theft and burglary are in Greater London, with TW8 in Brentford and SE27 in West Norwood the most risky London postcodes (at 4.76 per cent and 4.55 per cent respectively).

Peter Gerrard, head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com said: "Unfortunately I'm not amazed to see several London postcodes in the top 20 when it comes to theft and burglary, but I didn't expect to see Doncaster and Bristol snatching the top spots from London - especially as their reputations for crime are no rival for the capital. It proves any area, regardless of reputation, can be classed as ‘high-risk'.

"If your property is classified as being in a ‘high-risk' area - whether that be for crime, or something like flooding or subsidence, it could be reflected in your insurance premiums. Unfortunately there are no strict rules and even homes in an affluent area, relatively free from crime, could still suffer from high premiums as they may contain more expensive items. I would call on insurers to assess premiums on a case by case basis, rather than blacklisting whole cities or areas as ‘high-risk'.

"As the evenings are drawing in, and the clocks go back tomorrow night I urge homeowners to be extra vigilant when it comes to security for their homes. An increasing number of opportunistic thieves may take advantage of the longer winter nights. It is a good idea to ensure home contents insurance is fully up to date, and is at a high enough level to cover all belongings sufficiently."