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Beware of the Spring Bank Holiday Back Yard Robbers

21st May 2008 

Cheshire Building Society home insurance statistics reveal garden thefts are on the rise, with a third of all insurance claims occurring in the summer months*.

With this in mind, the Society is urging homeowners to make sure they are adequately covered before setting off from home this Spring Bank Holiday with the following advice:

  • Ensure your home insurance policy is adequate for your needs
  • Ensure that all garden tools and equipment, including lawnmowers, are locked away
  • Lock garage doors and other outbuildings
  • Ensure access to the garden is secure in order to prevent break-ins
  • Identity mark all valuable items
  • Ask a family friend or neighbour you can trust to keep an eye on your property and make sure they have your contact details in case of an emergency
  • Dispose of new equipment packaging so you are not advertising to thieves that you own expensive items

Karen Torson, Partnerships Business Manager at Cheshire Building Society, said: “During the summer months there tends to be an increase in the number of garden thefts as people get their gardens into shape. Thieves will seize anything they can sell on including patio furniture, ornaments, electrical equipment such as lawnmowers and pressure washers and expensive plants and shrubs.

“Garden security is important and the Cheshire’s Select home insurance policy, which is underwritten by RSA, can be tailored to suit individual requirements so that you only pay for what you need. It also provides cover for loss of or damage to plants and shrubs in your garden.”

The Cheshire’s Select home insurance has recently been awarded the maximum five star rating for product features and benefits from Independent Financial Research company, Defaqto.

For more information on the Cheshire’s Select home insurance or any of the Society’s products and services, visit www.thecheshire.co.uk, make an appointment at your local branch or contact the customer contact centre on 0845 755 0555 (all calls charged at local rate. Lines open 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-4pm Saturday. For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be monitored or recorded).