'Check small print' when moving house
Personal insurance
27th January 2009
People moving into a new house have been reminded to check the small print of their insurance policy to make sure they do not invalidate it.
According to a spokesman for the Association of British Insurers, some insurance companies require policy holders to equip their homes with security features such as locks and intruder alarms to minimise the possibility of a break-in or theft.
Many insurance claims in the first quarter of the year tend to arise from the fact that thieves are targeting homes that have lots of new gadgets and expensive items that were given to people as Christmas presents.
"Insurers treat home security as a very improtant issue," he commented, adding: "The prerequisite that insurers always look for are good quality door locks, reaching British standard 3621 as a bare minimum."
Security measures are often a requirement for smaller properties which are more vulnerable to burglaries.
