'Don't count on neighbours to look after home insurance'
Wednesday, Februray14, 2007
Despite 90 per cent of Britons believing themselves to be good neighbours, more than seven in ten would leave their fellow resident's home insurance premiums at risk by ignoring their burglar alarm.
The figures follow earlier findings by the European Crime and Safety
Survey which highlighted that the UK has the highest burglary rates in Europe.
Research conducted by home insurance provider Churchill also found that almost half of those questioned said they did not look out for a neighbour's property when they went on holiday.
Despite the statistics, 55 per cent of Britons said they wished the people on their road were more neighbourly, with 51 per cent citing busy lifestyles as being the main reason they were not able to get to know their neighbours.
Martin Scott, the home insurance provider's head, said: "Our research clearly shows that social trends such as longer working hours and commuting longer distances, people moving home more frequently and families enjoying more sedentary leisure activities within the home can affect the relationships that we hold with our neighbours."
Among the worst neighbourhood experiences reported was other residents holding noisy all-night parties and neighbours potentially causing home insurance claims by smashing windows.
Kwik-Fit Insurance customers with home insurance policies can benefit from up to £500 replacement locks if their keys are stolen.