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A third of homeowners believe they could break into their own homes within minutes, new research from Zurich Insurance has revealed.

The study found that as many as six million Brits thought their security was easy to bypass, and one in ten have actually proven this by successfully breaking into their own homes.

Of those who managed to force entry, two thirds did so in less than 15 minutes, whilst more than a quarter accomplished it in as little as five minutes. A common point of entry for those who have found themselves locked out is, according to the research, a window left carelessly open.

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Those who are casual enough to leave a window open when they go out could find their home insurance is invalid.

The study also questioned burglars to find out more about break-ins. Of those questioned, the study found that 87 per cent of burglars said that break-ins are normally opportunistic. According to burglars, leaving a window open, not having a burglar alarm and accidentally leaving the back door open are common causes for burglary.

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The burglars questioned also offered tips on avoiding being a victim of a burglary, suggesting the use of simple deterrents such as window locks and external security lights. Traditional British neighbourly values also remain prominent as deterrents for burglars, 56 per cent of homeowners ask a neighbour to keep an eye on their property whilst away, and 64 per cent of burglars questioned said this would be deterrent enough.

Reformed criminal, turned probation officer, Bob Turney, said: “Burglars want an easy way in – and most burglaries are simply a result of thieves taking advantage of householders who’ve left their homes wide open and there for the taking.

“And if you know that your home security isn’t what it should be and can break into your property in less than five minutes, a professional burglar can do it in half the time.”

Managing director for Direct & Partnerships at Zurich Insurance, Mike Quinton, supported this, stating: “If homeowners can break-in to their own properties that’s a major warning sign for them to take stock of their security measures.

“While you don’t need to turn your house into a fortress, it is always important to take proper precautions and update your home security.” Mr Quinton concluded.

NEW YORK, April 28, 2008 — Meteorologists predict that 2008 will be a very active hurricane season and warn that dangerous storms could threaten coastal communities from Texas to New England this summer and fall. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), now is the time to prepare for a hurricane or other disaster by reviewing your insurance coverage and creating a disaster plan.

Warm sea-surface temperatures combined with favorable winds should make this season “well above average,” said Colorado State University forecasters Dr. William Gray and Philip Klotzbach. They predict that there will be 15 storms in all, including eight hurricanes and four storms that could reach “major” status with Category 3 winds or higher.

“Those living near the coastline should plan for a hurricane by keeping their insurance up to date, and by having an evacuation plan,” said Jeanne Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. “In the event of a disaster you may have just minutes to gather your family and important papers and get out of your house, possibly for good. With preparation and practice, you stand the best chance of getting out with what you and your family need, and ending up in a safe place.”

To prepare for a hurricane other disasters, the I.I.I. recommends the following six steps:

1. Review Your Insurance Coverage

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Speak to your agent or company representative to make sure you have enough of the right kind of coverage. You need enough insurance to rebuild your home and to replace all of your personal belongings. If you have made a major alteration or improvement to your home, or you have made significant purchases, notify your insurance agent so that the increased value is reflected in your policy.
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Ask about flood insurance. Flood damage is not covered under standard home insurance policies. Insurance is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and can be purchased from the same agent or broker who provided your home or renters insurance. Additional information on flood insurance can be found at FloodSmart.gov. Excess flood insurance is also available from some private insurance companies should you need more coverage than the $250,000 for property and $100,000 on contents provided by the NFIP.

2. Arrange Your Evacuation Ahead of Time

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Identify where you can go in the event of an evacuation. Try to have more than one option: the home of a friend or family member in another town; a hotel; or a shelter. Keep the phone numbers and addresses of these locations handy. If you have a pet, you need to identify a location where animals are welcome.
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Map out your primary route and a backup route in case roads are blocked or impassable. Make sure you have a map of the area you are traveling to readily available.
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In case your family members are separated before or during the evacuation, identify a specific place to meet and ask an out-of-town friend or family member to act as a contact person.
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Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

3. Create a Home Inventory

Create a complete home inventory of your personal property. A home inventory will help you ensure that you have purchased enough insurance to replace your possessions. It can also speed the claims process and substantiate losses for income tax purposes.

To make creating a home inventory easier, the I.I.I. provides free, downloadable software located at KnowYourStuff.org. The Know Your Stuff software allows you to add digital photographs of your valuables and save scanned receipts. It can help you organize and list your possessions on your computer, after which you can burn the finished inventory onto a CD-ROM or use the optional secure online storage service, Vault24, accessible from the software itself. Be sure to also print out and store a hard copy of your home inventory. Keep a copy with your important documents and a second copy in a safe place outside your home (in a safe-deposit boxor an out-of-town friend or family member).

4. Plan What to Take

You may be forced from your home for several days or even weeks. Plan to take essential items, such as medicines, along with “comfort” items such your children’s favorite toys or books. In the event of an evacuation, have the following items ready to take with you:

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Medicines, prescriptions and first aid kit
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Bottled water
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Clothing and bedding (sleeping bags, pillows)
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Flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries
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Special items for infants or elderly or disabled family members
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Computer hard drive or laptop
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Photographs
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Pet food and other items for pets (litter boxes, leashes)

5. Gather Important Documents

Keep important documents in a safe place that you can access easily. In the event of an evacuation take the following documents with you:

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Insurance policies
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Prescriptions
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Birth and marriage certificates
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Passports
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Drivers license or personal identification
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Social Security cards
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Recent tax returns
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Employment information
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Wills, deeds and recent tax returns
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Stocks, bonds and other negotiable certificates
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Bank, savings and retirement account numbers
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Home inventory

6. Take the Ten-Minute Challenge

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