The Intermediary – March 2025 - Flipbook - Page 69
P RO T E C T I O N
Opinion
Springing forward
should make us
think about home
A
s the UK prepares
to move the clocks
forward by one hour
for British Summer
Time on Sunday 30th
March, it marks the
start of longer evenings and brighter
days, but it can also subtly impact
home security and insurance risks.
Burglary rates tend to drop as
daylight hours increase, as criminals
oen take advantage of the cover
of darkness in winter, and so
lighter evenings can act as a natural
deterrent. However, the shi to spring
doesn’t eliminate home insurance
risk entirely.
With people spending more
time outdoors, in their gardens,
or even away for Easter holidays,
opportunistic thieves may still
strike. Unlocked garden sheds, open
windows, and homes le unaended
for longer periods can all create
greater risk for your clients’ home
and belongings.
If they leave a window open and
a break-in occurs, their insurer
may deny the claim on grounds of
negligence. Many policies cover
outbuildings, but only up to a certain
amount. Valuable garden equipment
or bikes may require additional cover.
Not all home insurance policies
automatically cover garden items.
Clients should check their policy to
see if it includes the or damage to
outdoor property.
Longer days mean more DIY projects
– and more potential accidents. Full
accidental damage cover could save
them from paying out of pocket.
Tip: Some insurers may
and schedule any necessary
insist on details of specific locks
inspections.
or alarm systems, and failing to
comply could invalidate
the coverage.
The arrival of spring oen means
sprucing up gardens, bringing out
patio furniture, and investing in
plants or outdoor lighting. But these
new additions can become easy targets
for thieves.
Tip: Make sure your clients
know how much a policy covers
plants and garden items,
especially if they plan to invest
in expensive outdoor furniture
or tools.
The clock change inevitably gets
us excited about barbecues and
having guests around. As people fire
up barbecues, use fire pits, or clean
chimneys for the last time before
summer, fire risks can increase. Some
insurers require working smoke
alarms for full coverage. Failing to
maintain them could cause issues
during a fire-related claim.
STEPH DUNKLEY
is development director
at Safe&Secure
requirements – like locking windows
or activating alarms.
Finally, we all love a spring clean.
The tradition of spring cleaning is a
perfect opportunity for your client to
do a mini ‘audit’ of their belongings
and ensure their home insurance
accurately reflects your possessions.
Many homeowners accumulate
new valuables over the winter –
gadgets, appliances, or home gym
equipment – without updating their
insurance policies.
If a client does underestimate
the value of their possessions, the
insurer might not pay out the full
amount in the event of a claim.
Jewellery, bikes, or garden equipment
may exceed single-item limits on
a policy, meaning they’re only
partially covered.
Tip: While cleaning, create a
home inventory. Take photos of
valuable items, keep receipts,
and use this as a reference when
Tip: Use the clock change as a
updating insurance coverage.
reminder to test smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms
The clock change coincides with
school breaks and the lead-up to
summer, when people start taking
weekend trips or longer holidays.
Many insurance policies specify that
if your home is le empty for more
than 30 or 60 days, cover could be
reduced or invalidated. Even shorter
absences might affect a policy if the
policyholder hasn’t followed security
Here’s a quick checklist to help your
client align their home insurance with
the clock change:
Test smoke and security alarms.
Check security features like locks,
alarms, and cameras.
Update the home inventory and
personal possessions, including
the garden.
Inspect outdoor areas for hazards.
Check the home insurance policy
for unoccupied maximum periods.
Notify the insurer of
recent renovations or new
high valuables. ●
March 2025 | The Intermediary
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