Make sure you’re not a target for thieves

Media release

22 December 2004

Make sure you’re not a target for thieves this holiday season

Jewellery and games consoles are likely to be top of thieves’ wish list this Christmas according to newly released figures.

Research from the IAG Group, which also owns the State and NZI insurance brands in NZ, shows jewellery, games consoles and household electrical items are amongst the most popular for thieves.

Claims collated between November 2003 and October 2004 shows the top stolen items are:

Top items stolen %
Jewellery 17.8
Game consoles and games 17.2
Household electrical (TV, DVD players, stereos etc) 11.2
Cameras and accessories 9.5
Computers and equipment 8.9
Tools, garage and garden equipment 8.0
Mobile phones and accessories 6.3
Cash 5.2
CDs and DVDs 4.7
Video cameras and camcorders 3.0
Sporting and outdoor equipment and bicycles 2.8

Research also shows that 40% of premises burgled become second time victims within six months if security is not improved.

State Insurance is urging people to lock their homes at all times – not just when going away for a long period over Christmas.

“Thieves only need a few minutes to break-in and steal your valuable belongings,” said IAG NZ’s Head of Underwriting and Risk Management Karl Armstrong.

“It truly kills the Christmas spirit when presents are stolen from under the Christmas tree. Not securing your home at all times will tempt thieves, as new goods still wrapped and packaged under the tree can easily be resold or returned.”

Some of the simplest ways to protect your property are:
- Ensure doors remain locked at all times as burglars may still enter your residence even if you are home
- Install double-keyed deadlocks and key locks for windows
- Install an alarm
- Make your home appears lived in by keeping blinds partly open, use an automatic time-switch to turn on a radio and activate lights at night
- Let your neighbours know you will be away and have them, or a friend, regularly collect the mail and mow the lawn so your home looks occupied

- Keep records of your appliance serial numbers

- Mark your driver’s licence number on the back of valuable electronic appliances like your TV, DVD player, video recorder and stereo systems

- Make sure garages and garden sheds are secured and valuable property is protected, especially at night

- Keep your car keys in a secure and hidden place as burglars will steal a vehicle if the opportunity presents itself

- Don’t leave valuables in your car where they can be seen. That is an open invitation for a burglar.

If your home is burgled over the holidays be sure to advise the police and your insurance company immediately and make a list of the items stolen.

About State
State is a business division of IAG New Zealand Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australasia’s largest general insurer. IAG NZ has approximately 40% share of the general insurance market and manages 2.5 million policies on behalf of more than 1 million New Zealanders.

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