Following government advice that people should stay home, Co-op Insurance is urging people to remain vigilant and not relax their home security measures, in light of their latest claims data.

Two-fifths (43%) of home thefts occur after the clocks go forward and of those, two fifths (39%) are categorised as opportunistic, according to Co-op’s claims data.

Furthermore, the number of thefts due to homeowners being ‘distracted’ increases when the clocks go forward and account for a tenth (11%) of break-ins. With people perhaps spending more time at home than ever before, Co-op Insurance is encouraging home owners to take simple, effective steps to make sure their homes remain safe from opportunistic thieves.

The Co-op Insurance’s top three home security tips:
•Store equipment used for work, such as computers and tablets, in a safe space and out of sight when not in use and don’t post images of valuables on social media sites
•Keep windows and doors locked as much as possible, particularly in rooms that aren’t being occupied
•Don’t allow people you don’t know to gain access without checking their ID – call their office as a second measure

Caroline Hunter, Head of Co-op Home Insurance, said: “There’s a misconception that people’s homes won’t be targeted when they’re occupied and so we’re doing what we can to encourage people to remain vigilant all year round, to help keep homes and communities safe.

“Nobody should have to go through the trauma of having their property burgled and so where people are working from home, it’s important they don’t relax the home security measures.”

Co-op Insurance has pledged that their customers’ cover will not be affected when working from home and any additional IT equipment used for clerical work is now automatically covered under their home insurance policies.

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