Hints and Tips

 

Home insurance

You can insure the contents and the buildings of your home which should help give you peace of mind.

Here's a rundown of what you should be looking for.

As well as cover for theft and malicious damage, your contents policy will insure you against fire, flood, storm damage and other such "risks". You can't usually pick and choose which risks are covered as they come as a package. In fact, there are usually many other types of cover thrown in, such as "personal liability" - useful if you damage someone else's property and they sue you, for example. So it's well worth checking the policy wording to see exactly what's covered.

Single items over a certain value may have to be named on your policy, so again, check your policy and tell your insurer if you have anything that's particularly expensive like a computer or particular antique.

Some items, usually called "valuables and portable possessions" by insurance companies, are covered while away from your home. These will include things like jewellery, clothes and electrical equipment. This can be useful if you have children at university, but check out exactly what is and isn't covered, and for how much. Some companies offer special policies for student's possessions.

Insurers expect you to take "reasonable care" of your belongings. If you leave your house unlocked or valuables out in the open they probably won't pay a claim. It's hard to know exactly what is meant by "reasonable care" so ask your insurance broker or representative if you're uncertain. Any unresolved disputes can be taken up with the Financial Ombudsman.

Are you sure that you have got enough insurance cover? It's never easy working out how much cover you need, so we've created a handy calculator. Just select this link to go there now.

Home security
Some insurance companies will also require that your house meets a certain standard of security, sometimes called the "minimum security condition". If your house does not meet the standard they may refuse to pay a claim. This standard will include measures such as the kind of doors and locks you must have and might ask for window locks or other security devices. Check your quote and policy very carefully to ensure you meet the criteria you have agreed upon.

On the other hand, many companies will offer discounts if your house is well secured. Certain types of alarm system or membership of a neighbourhood watch scheme could get you a lower premium. Remember to ask.

Although cover is often based on the number of bedrooms in your home, it's worth making sure you insure for the right amount. It's also a good idea to make a property list of everything you own, which will help if you ever make a claim.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a burglary, or theft, report it to the police straightaway who will give you a crime number. You will need the crime number for your insurance claim. Don't delay in contacting your insurer or this could influence any reimbursement.

Mobile phone theft

Children of school age are more likely to be victims of mobile phone theft compared with adults.


And it's an even sadder fact that some of these thefts involve threats or actual violence.

Quick tip:
What happens if you type *#06# into your mobile phone? Try it now. Your IMEI number should be displayed - take a note of it, because if your mobile gets lost or stolen, your mobile phone operator can use it to bar the handset.

However, there are ways in which you can protect yourself. For a start, around a quarter of mobile thefts happen when the phone is either being used or can be seen by others. The figures are far higher in city centres, so if you are out in the open in a busy place you should stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
In fact, London's Metropolitan Police advice that you treat your mobile phone like you are holding a £100 note in your hand!

Did you know?

• 90% of offenders are male and 80% of victims are also male
• The majority of robberies are committed by offenders working in groups
• The peak age for offenders is 16
• The peak time for theft of mobiles belonging to people under the age of 18 is between 2pm and 10pm
• For over 18s the peak time for theft is between 10pm and 6am
• A mobile phone is stolen around every three minutes in the UK

Using this knowledge you can understand the situations in which you could be more vulnerable to mobile theft.

*#06# - try it now
In addition, make a note of the IMEI number of your phone and report it to the police if your phone is stolen. The IMEI number is a unique 15-digit serial number which can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones, or looking behind the battery of your phone.

Also mark your phone with your postcode and street number - see property marking, and register your phone with the mobile phone company - this may allow them to block the phone if it is stolen. You can also use your phone's security lock code or PIN to stop anyone else using it. for more information about activating your PIN, refer to the manual that came with your handset.

Things in your car

Any valuable possessions you leave in your car is at risk from being stolen.

Never give a thief the reason to break in and steal your belongings - they will take any opportunity you give them.

Apart from car stereos, the most common items stolen from a car are clothes. In addition, CDs and tapes, tools, laptop computers, mobile phones, bags, briefcases, sunglasses and credit cards are all frequently stolen, and the reason these items are taken is usually because they are left in plain view for all to see.

If you don't hide things away in your car, you're tempting a thief to break-in, so never leave anything in view. Although stereos remain the most frequently stolen items, even shopping bags, cigarettes and loose change can encourage a break-in. As you can't hide your stereo out of sight, here are some tips to prevent it getting stolen.

Many modern in-car entertainment systems have security built in, for example removable faces on the stereo itself. If yours has this feature, use it. Remove the face and take it with you, even if your leaving your car for just a short time. Another modern feature is a built-in security code. If the stereo is removed and fitted to another car the code is needed or it won't work. Keep the note of your code number somewhere safe in your house and never anywhere inside your car. Also keep a note of the serial number of the stereo somewhere safe in your home.

With some older stereos you can remove the whole unit. Although it might not always be practical to carry the unit around with you, do so as much as you can, especially when leaving your car overnight or when you're at work during the day. Etch the vehicle identification number and your postcode onto the stereo and mark it invisibly with an ultra-violet pen. See property marking for more information.

Around 150,000 tax disks are taken from cars each year. These can be tampered with and sold on to someone else. You can protect your tax disk with a tamper proof disk holder, available from the Post Office. This could save you the hassle of a broken window or having to buy a replacement disk.

Fit a car security device, such as a car alarm and choose a good place to park to reduce the chances of someone breaking in to your car. And finally, don't forget to close windows, sunroofs and lock doors and NEVER leave children or pets alone in your vehicle.

Cycle Security

They are kind to the environment, a very useful form of transport and quite a good way of keeping fit.

With so many plus factors, it's no wonder thieves like the look of cycles too ...

Around 150,000 bicycles are stolen across Britain every year, with bike theft proving to be a growing frustration for cyclists everywhere. In 1996, the National Cycling Forum (NCF) was launched to encourage an increasing number of people to take up riding a bicycle and to make cycling easier, safer and more convenient.

Naturally, one of its aims is to cut cycle theft and the NCF offers these "basic security rules for cycle users":

Do not leave cycles in isolated places. Park cycles safely and considerately where they will not cause a danger or obstruction to others, particularly to older people, young children or people with disabilities. And always lock a cycle when leaving it, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Make sure you secure bikes to proper cycle stands or robust street furniture (but do observe any requests not to use certain items of street furniture and be sure not to cause any damage). Lock cycles through the frame, and secure or remove wheels. Also remove smaller parts and accessories that can't be secured, especially lights, pumps and quick release saddles.

Get a lock that works
The NCF recommends that cyclists use security products as recommended by the Master Locksmiths Association scheme - Sold Secure. Call Sold Secure on 01327 264687 for a list of approved devices, or visit their website. They also strongly recommended ground or wall anchors for use in a garage or shed.

More than half of all bike thefts take place from the owner's property so ensure garages and sheds are well secured and never leave your bike unattended outside your home, even for just a short time. Security marking and registration of your bicycle are the best ways of ensuring it is returned to you if stolen. See our section on property marking for more information.

Make your mark
For registration there are a number of companies that will provide this service to you. They will mark your bike with a unique number and cross-reference this to details about you held on a computer database. It's important that the company displays its telephone number next to the mark on your bike to help the police know who to contact if the bike is recovered.

It's also important that the service you use is aware of and follows the National Cycling Forum's "code of practice for security marking and registration of pedal cycles". And finally, keep a photograph of your bike and keep a record of all its details.

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