Property Security

From timt to time you buy expensive presents for loved ones and then keep them somewhere you think they will not be found. Loved ones won’t look very hard because they don’t want to spoil the surprise (well most won’t anyway) burglars on the other hand will search very hard especially at times like Christmas. Please don’t be tempted to leave presents in the garden shed; it’s the equivalent of leaving the front door key under a plant pot and You wouldn’t do that would you?

This sort of fraudster will try and buy your furniture or antiques for far less than its true value. If you decide to sell something, you should try to establish its true value by speaking to a number of dealers. Don’t sell to anyone who just calls on the off-chance you have something to sell.

If your valuables such Mobile phone, IPod, Nintendo, Wii, camera etc were to be stolen, would you know what the serial number of the item was? Many people don’t even know that a lot of items have a serial number.
Often it is hidden in the battery compartment or on the bottom of the item. It’s worth having a close look at such items and if you find a serial number make a note of it and keep it safe. If it does go missing you will have more chance of getting it back if it is recovered by the police.
The other important step to take is to mark ALL your valuable property with a UV pen. Mark each item with your postcode and house number. Don’t forget items like lawnmowers and strimmers; they will cost you more than you think to replace.

So - you have just been burgled. The antique necklace Auntie Nellie left you has been stolen. The man from your insurance company asks you to describe it. “Well” you say “it’s got a chain and dangly bits”. You can tell he’s not impressed. “Can you be more specific?” he asks. “The dangly bits are all different shapes” you reply. He’s even more unimpressed: Wouldn’t it be better if you had a photograph to show him?
Now let’s face it, it’s a bit late to get your camera out after Aunt Nellie’s necklace has gone. So why not get your camera out before your valuables are stolen. Not only will you be able to provide your insurance company with a description but you can also give the police something to go on in their search for your stolen items.
Don’t just keep one copy where it can be stolen along with the other stuff, make at least one other copy and ask a relative or trusted friend to keep it safe for you. The chances of both of you being burgled on the same day are slim. Better still take digital photographs and store them on more than one computer.

Have you been bought or have you bought your wife / husband / girlfriend / boyfriend / partner / concubine / etc any valuable presents such as jewelry or an expensive item such as a camera? If so you need to check your house and contents insurance. Some companies have limits on what you can claim for single items, in some case this could be less that the cost of replacing the item.
Also check what they class as one item; for example a camera with separate lens may be classed as camera equipment and therefore as one item so they will only pay out once, your telephoto and close up lens may not be covered and in some cases can be worth more that the camera.
Make sure you tell them about such items and get confirmation that the items are covered. On the subject of cameras, why not make a snap decision and take photographs of all your new items, just in case they are stolen. Take a close up of the Hallmarks on jewelry so you can prove they were real gold or silver, not just copies and always keep receipts for any valuable items.
It’s also a good idea to make a note of the serial numbers of such items as cameras on the back of the receipt.