Your security at home checklist

Burglary rates have declined considerably in the last 20 years, but there were still over 275,000 reported in the UK in 2023. Did you also know that if you’ve been burgled once, you are more likely to be targeted again?

Some burglaries are planned out in advance, while others are committed by opportunistic chancers. Either way, upping your home security or just being more security conscious can reduce the risk of it happening to you.

Home security basics

Doors and windows

Your first line of defence are the doors and windows of your home, which is where an intruder will first try to get in. Single glazed windows and wooden doors are vulnerable – double-glazed windows are thicker and come with lockable handles while uPVC doors have multipoint locks.

If your external doors are wooden, they should have two locks on them, a latch-type lock (like a Yale) and a mortice lock. With wooden window frames, fitting locks is a fairly easy DIY job – look for something like a swing lock that’s simple to install.

Outdoor lighting

The cover of darkness is very helpful to burglars. Whether it’s the shock of a light coming on or the possibility of being seen, exterior lights can put thieves off.

Solar motion-activated lights need very little installation or call in an electrician for a hard-wired one if there are dark spots around your home that could give an intruder welcome cover.

Video camera

It’s never been easier to set up video recording for home security. Cameras linked to your Wi-Fi can pick up motion inside your house and out, and record as well as alert you on your phone.

A simple smart doorbell will capture footage of people coming to your door and enable you to talk to them to let them know you’re watching.

Burglar alarms

For extra security, an old-fashioned burglar alarm is hard to beat, especially if it is monitored remotely by a security company. If you have a large home or high hedges, a conventional burglar alarm can make up for multiple entry points or lack of visibility from the street.

Safes

Even if you only have one or two pieces of precious jewellery, a small safe is an effective means of securing smaller items. You can get safes similar to the little ones you find in hotel rooms so you should be able to find a spot to fit one in your home. They’re also a great places to store passports and other important paperwork.

Does extra security make my home insurance cheaper?

Simply having more security features at home will not necessarily make your insurance cheaper as many things get taken into consideration when calculating your premium.

Even if you have alarms, video and window locks, they only work if they’re activated or someone’s turned (and removed) the key. What extra security measures can do, if used, is give a would-be burglar enough inconvenience for them to move onto somewhere easier.

How home insurance can help after a burglary

After a burglary, your home insurance can help offset the cost of replacing stolen items. But it can only do so if you have the right amount of cover in place.

Regularly assess how much your valuables are worth and check the ‘per item’ limit on your policy as you might have to specify or declare things that are worth over a certain amount.

Find out more about how to make sure your jewellery and valuables are properly insured.

Your home insurance may not be able to help if it’s found that a door has been left unlocked or windows left open, so make it part of your routine to check the house before going out.

Saga Home Insurance offers extra support and security where you need it most – our policies cover theft, property damage and stolen items up to the sum insured, including bicycles. Cover also includes theft from outbuildings and lock replacement.