New figures released by leading price comparison site, MoneySuperMarket, have shown that there has been a 2.5% increase in home insurance claims in the last year with an average of 16.04 claims per 1,000 in 2019 - up from 15.65 in 2018.
According to the data found from analysing 3.1 million home insurance claims over the last two years, the metropolitan areas of the UK have the highest number of claims with 18 of the 20 top hotspots being located across Britain's three largest cities. Nine of these are in the capital, four in Birmingham, four in Manchester and one in Bristol.
MoneySuperMarket's interactive Burglary Claims Tool has revealed that the central Birmingham postcode B5, has ranked the highest. The tool displays the rates of burglary claims made across all postal areas in the UK and compares your postcode to other local districts.
Highest Amount of Burglary Claims | |||
Rank | Postal District | Postcode location | Rate (per 1000) * |
1 | B5 | Digbeth, Highgate, Lee Bank | 57.14 |
2 | B94 | Olton, Solihull | 52.63 |
3 | IG5 | Clayhall | 51.64 |
4 | N21 | Winchmore Hill, Bush Hill, Grange Park | 50.13 |
5 | M21 | Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Firswood | 49.22 |
6 | BS7 | Bishopston, Horfield, Filton | 49.13 |
7 | SK4 | Stockport, Four Heatons | 49.12 |
8 | B96 | Redditch | 49.06 |
9 | WR12 | Broadway | 47.97 |
10 | IG9 | Buckhurst Hill | 47.83 |
11 | SK8 | Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Gatley, Heald Green | 47.62 |
12 | IG4 | Redbridge | 47.12 |
13 | B15 | Edgbaston, Lee Bank | 47.08 |
14 | E18 | Woodford, South Woodford | 47.04 |
15 | M20 | Didsbury, Withington | 47.02 |
16 | RM14 | Upminster, Cranham, North Ockendon, Bulphan | 46.80 |
17 | GU23 | Send, Ripley, Ockham, Wisley | 46.80 |
18 | NW11 | Golders Green, Hampstead Garden Suburb | 46.79 |
19 | SE21 | Dulwich, Dulwich Village, West Dulwich, Tulse Hill, Sydenham Hill | 46.12 |
20 | IG7 | Chigwell | 45.89 |
The research shows burglaries are most common during the autumn and winter months with claims 12% higher than in the summertime. Houses also remain the preferred target for burglars and are 70% more likely to be targeted than flats.
Emma Garland, data scientist at MoneySuperMarket, commented: "It's increasingly important to protect your home against theft. One option could be to look at the type of locks you currently have in your home, to help bolster the security of your doors and windows. Further measures such as burglar alarms, security lights and timers on your indoor lights that give the illusion of occupancy are all deterrents to burglars.
"Regardless of where you live, it's always worth ensuring that you've got the right level of contents insurance cover for your needs. Shopping around could save you up to up to 41.70% (equivalent to £90.17) on your existing deal."
