First secure, then insure. Loss prevention is important in burglary insurance.
A third of all attempted burglaries are thwarted by security measures and extra security can help protect your property as the following example from day to day insurance practice shows.

A householders' insurance policy had been in force for over 20 years - without any claims. The policy was originally taken out for $160,000 to cover the building and when the owner moved to a large, lavishly designed semi detached house, increased his cover to $600,000.

He had contents to the value of $250,000 and the premises had window locks and deadlocks on the doors, but he was advised to install a local alarm also. After much negotiation, he agreed.

A few months later, burglars 'tested' the house's security. They began by forcing open the neighbour's patio door and stole a surround sound system, a plasma TV screen, jewellery and a laptop computer. The total value of the theft was $90,000. They then tried to break into our householder's premises in the same way, but the local alarm was triggered when they forced the patio door, which then scared the burglars off.

The only repairs to the householder's premises was fixing the patio door.

A local alarm system is adequate for private residences, however a back to base alarm would be suggested for properties with high value sums insured or for commercial properties with high value contents included.

Make sure your sum insured is adequate and keep proof of items purchased for valuations.
You need to keep proof of purchase or valuations for valuables and recently purchased electrical items in case you need to make a claim. For storage of proofs and valuations, we suggest they be stored in a fireproof area or container.

Sunny prospects for thieves
A policyholder informed his householders insurance company that he would be spending a few months on the Gold Coast when he retired. This meant that the unit would be empty for long periods and as the security he currently had would no longer be adequate under these circumstances, the insurance company decided to inspect the risk.

The unit was on the ground floor of a unit block located at the end of a cul-de-sac in an exclusive residential area. All the rooms had large patio doors leading into the garden.

The policyholder accepted the recommendations with regard to the improved security devices for the windows and doors, but refused to put in a burglar alarm system, threatening to go to a competitor if the insurance company insisted on one being installed - which it refrained from doing.

Shortly thereafter, the policyholder, who was spending some of the winter on the Gold Coast, heard that there had been burglaries in his neighbourhood. The culprits had also tried to break into his unit, but the current security devices on the windows and doors held firm. Even so, he decided to install an alarm system after all. He interrupted his stay at Surfers Paradise and arranged a professional company to install a back to base security system. The unit was now as secure as could be and the policyholder was able to enjoy his stay in sunny Queensland without anxiety.

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