LOCK AWAY YOUR OUTDOOR ITEMS
LOCKDOWN has sparked a renewed love of our gardens, patios and balconies – and this has led to many of us splashing out on plants, outdoor furniture and tools to get things blooming, along with expensive sports kit such as bikes.
But if you’ve shelled out, appreciate that anything of value will prove attractive to a thief.
Last summer insurance claims for the theft of outdoor belongings spiked, up 44%, compared to the winter months.
Lloyds Bank said it received 147 claims from May to July in 2019, compared to 80 from January to March this year.
And with the average claim coming in at £1,519, gardens clearly offer rich picking for crooks.
After a day or evening spent enjoying the outdoors in the garden, it’s easy to leave belongings outside without storing them away securely – and thereby leaving them on display for thieves.
If your garden can easily be seen from the street, consider whether passers-by will have seen what you’ve got. Plus, having new or valuable items outside may encourage a burglar to break in to take a look inside your home too.
Tim Downer, senior claims manager at Lloyds Bank Home Insurance, said: “Having the right level of cover for outdoor items can often be overlooked, but it’s just as important to have them insured as they can be as expensive as indoor belongings.
“Even though most of us are spending more time at home, possessions left outside in plain sight of burglars can still be an easy target.
“Taking a few simple steps such as locking away furniture and making sure sheds are properly secured means that homeowners can have extra peace of mind.”
Put tools and equipment away that could be used to break into your home, such as a spade or a ladder. Lock up items such as garden ornaments, furniture and bikes when not in use. HIDDEN FROM SIGHT Avoid leaving spare keys to the home or outbuildings in obvious areas, such as under plant pots beside doors. Thieves can predict where they might be hidden, so don’t make life easy for them. SHADY BEHAVIOUR
Don’t plant trees or shrubs around a garden gate as this can provide cover for thieves. TAG IT
Mark items with an ultraviolet pen so they can be traced to you if they’re stolen and recovered.
GARDEN COVER
Make sure you have adequate home insurance which covers items outside the home. online firms to have technology that picks up suspicious activity.
More than seven out of 10 would like websites to have anti-fraud alerts.
Rafael Laurenco, executive vice president at ClearSale, said: “Our research established consumers are willing to sacrifice aspects of their data privacy and general shopping experience in return for the reassurance that they are suitably protected online.
“Online retailers need and want customer loyalty, and one of the best ways to bring customers back again – alongside good deals – is to make sure that they are safe.
“The loss of business from a damaged reputation is potentially more harmful than the cost incurred from the act of fraud itself.
“The e-commerce industry must recognise this and implement methods to communicate their legitimacy to customers.”
The ClearSale research also found we spend an average £82.80 online each month.
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With average claims of £1,519, your garden offers rich pickings for thieves