Home security systems UK house insurance

Some UK home insurance companies will team up with a home security company to offer cheaper home security systems. As a householder, you can do a great deal to reduce the risk for a small outlay. Improving home security might also help to reduce insurance premiums for household contents protection so speak with your broker or insurance company.

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House or home insurance is split into house contents insurance and house buildings insurance

• House contents insurance, Covers the cost of replacing possessions lost or damaged due to unforeseen events (as detailed in the insurance policy)
• House buildings insurance, Pays the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home if it is damaged by unforeseen events (as detailed in the insurance policy)

Directline have teamed up with Eastern Security, and negotiated savings of up to 40% on the average cost of alarm installations. There are two systems to choose from, both include professional installation and maintenance, and qualify you for a 7.5% or a 12.5% discount on contents insurance premiums. Save up to 40% on approved locks and bolts Better security means a 5% discount from Direct Line contents insurance. Don't stop there, check other insurance companies for cheaper house insurance quotes and cheaper home security systems.

At least 80 per cent of burglaries are committed by amateur opportunists, who take advantage of open doors and windows, keys left in insecure ‘hiding places’, unlocked side gates or vulnerable doors and windows screened from the street so you can reduce the risk of burglary by taking a few basic steps.

Most burglars get in through ground floor windows and doors at the back, side and front of the house, in that order of preference. Upstairs windows are at risk if they can be reached by climbing drainpipes, or via adjacent flat roofs, or if you leave ladders lying about. As with most elements of security, the nature of the risk suggests the solution. Make burglary difficult by fitting good quality, five-lever mortice locks on doors. Add key-operated racking bolts and hinge bolts to the top and bottom of back and side doors. Have key-operated locks fitted on your ground floor windows and any accessible upstairs windows. Remember also, that the best lock in the world is useless on a flimsy door.

Home security should make the burglar's job too difficult, time-consuming, noisy or risky, compared to alternative targets. Research with offenders has indicated that burglar will usually look for a soft target and are deterred by seeing security systems in situ. Information about home security is free. Your local Police Crime Reduction Officer will give you leaflets and advice on the subject and may make a personal visit. He or she will tell you how to find reputable local suppliers, such as locksmiths. Intruder alarm companies that belong to the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) will provide a written quotation, without obligation. Look for the BSIA logo under 'Burglar Alarms' in Yellow Pages, or call the BSIA's free Help Line on the number given at the end of this article.