Industry voice: helping clients protect their property in winter – part two

This business-useful guidance builds on the previous article where brokers were offered numerous handy tips and advice to share with their clients.

Working through the checklists really could help minimise the risk to properties during the coldest months of the year, avoiding claims and enhancing client relationships.

Having addressed getting property ready for winter and managing void periods now is the time to consider keeping property safe.

Unfortunately, the darker nights provide more opportunities for burglars to target properties. In fact, during November and December, burglaries in Britain rise by an average of 25% per year.
As such, homeowners and tenants alike must make sure they take preventative measures to protect both themselves and their property from the mindless minority.

Some simple tips for you to add value and assist clients to keep their buildings safe during the autumn and winter period are:

• Lock all the doors - This sounds obvious but a large number of burglaries occur as a result of people not locking their doors or windows. In addition, inform your clients not to leave keys in the vicinity, for example under a plant pot or mat. Official police figures show that in 2014, over 6,000 burglaries involved intruders using a house key to gain entry...

• Let there be light - Putting lamps on a timer will give the impression that someone is in the property when it is unattended, thus deterring potential intruders. What's more, a security light, which comes on when people are in the vicinity of a property, is a good idea.

• Get a little help from friends - If anyone is unable to visit a property during vacant periods, they should enlist the help of a neighbour or friend to make regular visits. The trusted person will be able to put lights on, take mail from the letterbox and make the house looked occupied.

• Do not assume - It is vital for your consumers to never assume that their property will be safe. People with properties above ground floor level could think that their property will not be a target. However, burglars often go to extreme measures to gain access to a home, so do everything to ensure the property is as safe as possible.

I hope you have found these discussion points of use. Taking the time, by phone, online or by email, to work through them with your clients could prove invaluable.

Not only will it help prevent claims and the stress that can cause your clients but it also adds an extra touch point in the insurance cycle to deepen your relationships and be a true expert and professional adviser.

Consulting with your clients to aid them to take sufficient measures to protect their property now and give themselves peace of mind ahead of winter really is worth the effort.

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