Burglary protection: how do I keep burglars away and which insurance pays out?
Dawn or dusk provides the perfect opportunity for burglars to strike. Comparis shows you how to better protect your house or apartment and what kind of insurance pays out in the event of a break-in.
17.10.2023
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1. How can I protect myself from break-ins?
Even if you’re just popping out for a few minutes, always lock the door to your home. Remember to lock the doors to your patio as well.
Make sure you close all windows when you go out. From an insurance point of view, a tilted or ajar window is classed as an “open” window. If an incident occurs when the windows are open, this is not considered burglary, but rather simple theft.
Having neighbours you can trust is extremely helpful. Let them know if you aren’t going to be in, so they can keep a watchful eye on your home.
Overflowing mailboxes are a sign of an empty apartment. If you are going to be away for a longer period, ask your neighbours to empty your postbox regularly. You can also arrange for the post office to hold your mail while you are away.
Thieves like to check for keys under door mats and plant pots and in postboxes. Instead of hiding keys somewhere, leave a set with a trustworthy neighbour.
Criminals communicate with each other using a scribbled code based on a series of simple signs and symbols. An X means that there is something worth stealing here.
Make a note of markings on walls, doors or postboxes, take a photo of them and report them to the police. You should then remove the markings.
If you notice something suspicious or catch a burglar in the act, you should alert the police as quickly as possible by calling the emergency number 117. Very important: don’t play the hero and don’t be tempted to clear up the scene of the crime yourself.
Staying at home is the best burglary protection. If you’re going away however, you can pretend to still be home. If going away for a longer period of time, you could consider installing light timers, smart bulbs or fake TV simulators.
Many break-in attempts are defeated early on with motion detector lights in the home entryway, on decking or by the garage. Another good solution is to invest in a smart home security kitthat you can easily control via an app.
All a burglar needs is a standard screwdriver to open unsecured windows and doors. Check that your door lock conforms to the latest standards. Fitting additional door locking devices will make it more difficult for intruders to gain access.
Criminals use social media to figure out where you are. It’s therefore not a good idea to share on Facebook, Instagram or other social media that you’re going on holiday.
Autumn and winter: high season for burglars
Burglary season begins in autumn when it gets dark earlier. After the clocks go back towards the end of October, Swiss insurance companies register considerably more cases of home break-ins.
And yet many break-ins are avoidable, if you know what steps to take. If you do have a break-in, home contents insurance the costs.
2. Burglaries: what does insurance cover?
In most cases, home contents insurance covers loss and damage caused by burglaries. Insurance policies distinguish between different types of theft:
Burglary
If the perpetrator forces their way into a room or breaks open containers, it is considered burglary. Theft by opening a lock using the right key or code is considered as equivalent to burglary if the perpetrator has got hold of the key or code by means of burglary or robbery.
This kind of damage is included in the basic cover of home contents insurance, which pays out for the stolen and damaged property at their replacement value. Jewellery and cash are usually only covered up to a certain value.
Robbery
This term is used to describe thefts made under threat or through use of violence. These thefts are covered by the basic cover in home contents insurance.
Simple theft
This type of theft is also known as “petty theft” or “petty larceny”. It refers to thefts that are neither burglaries nor robberies. There are no major obstacles for the thief to overcome.
It’s differentiated between “simple theft at home” and “simple theft away from home”.
“Simple theft at home” is included in basic home contents insurance cover. This covers incidents such as the theft of a bicycle from your garage.
However, cover restrictions apply: cash that has not been locked away and other high-value items like securities and precious metals, for instance, are not covered.
If you want insurance cover for when you are out and about, you need to add “simple theft away from home” to your policy. Lost or mislaid items are not usually replaced. Cash and high-value items are not insured either.
A separate maximum sum. This is usually between 2,000 and 5,000 francs.
3. Damages caused by burglary: who pays?
Home contents insurance also pays out for damages resulting from a break-in, such as a broken door lock or a smashed window. The maximum amount that is compensated is usually defined separately – check your policy for details.
Do you live in a rented apartment? Damages caused by a burglary to your apartment or house are usually covered by liability insurance .
Tip: check the insured sum
Adjust the insured sum in your home contents insurance policy regularly to reflect the value of your household goods. For example, if you buy an expensive bicycle, you can increase the insured sum by adding “simple theft away from home”. This way, you avoid being underinsured.
This article was first published on 30.09.2020
