Policies expanded by Cornish Mutual for festive shopping

South West firm Cornish Mutual has expanded the level of insurance cover for some homeowners this year, to make sure their Christmas presents have enough protection against increased levels of home burglary during the festive season.

Free of charge and as a Christmas goodwill gesture, the locally-based general insurer is raising the sums insured by £2,000 on its Members’ home contents policies until 6th January 2009.

It is estimated that a larger number of people will be affected by crime over the Christmas period and Cornish Mutual is urging homeowners to make sure their home and contents insurance is up-to-date.

“At this time of year we tend to spend quite a bit more and so generally we have more items of value in our homes. It’s a good idea to check your home contents insurance covers any new expensive purchases like electrical items or jewellery,” says Chris Ridgers, Development Director of Cornish Mutual.

“We want people to have a safe and happy time over Christmas – there are a number of precautions you can take to reduce the risk and prevent burglaries or other disasters in the home.”

It is estimated that the average person will spend around £380 on Christmas gifts this year. Cornish Mutual believes a number of households may be underinsured and wants to make sure its Members are covered in case they are unfortunate to suffer a theft, flood or similar loss.

Christmas is a busy time of year for most people including local criminals, so Cornish Mutual is issuing the following tips for residents to keep their home safe this year:

Don’t tempt thieves and leave presents on display either in the home or in your car

Don’t put wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree until the last minute

Lock away your valuable items like jewellery, cash, credit cards, passports and cameras

Don’t advertise your Christmas purchases by leaving obvious packaging for rubbish collection outside your house

Keep your windows and doors secure at all times and activate your alarm whenever you are out

Close the curtains during dark evenings. especially when you are out, to keep prying eyes away from your home

Turn on lights if you are out, so it looks like someone is in the house and;

If you are going away this Christmas, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home.

Chris adds: “By extending policies, it should give Members the peace of mind they need over the festive period; particularly when there is so much going on and they have enough to think about already. We don’t want them to have to worry about a domestic emergency too.”