Country dwellers 'complacent about crime'

Tue 22 Dec 2009 - Published in Home Insurance

People living in the country could be risking a home insurance claim by being over-confident about crime, it has been found.

Research carried out by Halifax Home Insurance showed that 70 per cent of rural homeowners, or more than eight million people, do not have a burglar alarm installed, with 11 per cent of these saying they cannot see the point of using one.

In addition, nearly one-third of rural households leave their doors unlocked for the majority of the time, compared to just one in ten of those living in cities.

The survey also showed that 13 per cent of country dwellers have been a victim of crime in the last year, with this expected to rise by 30 per cent as burglars aim to steal Christmas gifts.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, commented: "Rural residents should be especially vigilant during this festive season, with burglars aware of the increased value of home contents nestled under the Christmas tree."

Recently, Sarah Blaney, card fraud expert at security specialist CPP, said that there is an increase in credit card losses and thefts during the festive period.

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