Increased cover for Christmas thefts

Some homeowners in the South West are getting an extra Christmas present this year – free additional cover from insurance firm Cornish Mutual to protect valuable presents and other items against theft.

Members in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset will get an extra £1,500 worth of home contents insurance cover free-of-charge, as a goodwill gesture over the festive period.

The temporary increase will last until 4 January 2011 and should help avoid underinsurance for extra items that may be present during the Christmas period. If the worst were to happen, for example the home was burgled, Members will still be protected.

Ian Metcalfe, Insurance Underwriter for Cornish Mutual, said: “Typically there is an increase in the overall value of people’s possessions in the home at Christmas time including expensive presents and gifts, so it’s important that you make sure you’re adequately insured. A larger number of homes in the Westcountry are affected by crime during December and January and we would encourage people to make sure their cover is up-to-date.”

It is estimated that the average person will spend around £350 on Christmas gifts this year and Cornish Mutual believes a number of households in the South West may be underinsured.

Ian added: “Christmas and New Year is a busy enough time without having to contend with a burglary or other domestic disaster like flooding or a burst pipe due to the cold weather that we’ve been experiencing lately. We just want to make sure that Members are covered in case they’re unfortunate enough to suffer damage or a loss. By extending policies, it should give Members the peace of mind they need but they will need to ensure they revise their sum insured after 4th January if the increased cover is to continue.”

Cornish Mutual is the only general insurer to be based in the South West. The company, which has offices in Truro and Exeter, has over 21,000 Members across the region.