With burglaries seeing a 6%* spike throughout autumn, insurance is needed now more than ever to protect gifts and homes this Christmas – but how do you keep the policy costs low?

New data confirms that 74% of police forces have seen increases in theft since July, with 712 burglaries committed every single day in the run up to Christmas.*

Home and contents insurance is vital with thefts increasing and families spending £25.6 billion on gifts this year, which is a 6% rise on last year and has resulted in a 23% spike in home insurance claims too.*

From policy changes to home improvements, security retailers safe.co.uk has listed its top five money-saving insurance hacks to ensure families are protected this winter, without breaking the bank.

Price Compare Policies: Average policy prices can fluctuate daily depending on a number of factors such as crimes being reported in the area. Use price comparison sites to see if you can get a cheaper option. It’s worth tracking the cost on a daily or weekly basis to note any patterns in price increases, to ensure you’re getting the best price for your property type and contents value. Don’t overspend on policies too, only sign up to the elements that are relevant to your living situation. For example, if you don’t have a garden, double check you aren’t paying for that on your policy.

Security Systems: Having home security such as alarms and CCTV will prompt insurance companies to see a home as ‘lower risk,’ which will give a lower insurance sum to pay. Extra locks and security lighting can limit the chances of burglars entering the home this Christmas, whilst also reducing the cost of insurance.

Pay Annually: Paying in instalments is often convenient and seems like the cheaper option, however in the long run it could costs hundreds of pounds more. Paying the full amount will cut overall costs and reduce monthly fees, plus it gives peace of mind that the house and contents are covered for the next six months.

Home Improvements: Applying for insurance policies can be difficult if the home is susceptible to certain damages such as flooding or fires. Living in an area prone to flooding will be difficult to get a cheap policy, therefore putting up flooding defences before applying will result in a smaller cost. Fire alarms, sprinklers and fireproof equipment can also improve protection and in turn, reduce insurance fees.

Store In A Safe: Some insurance providers will request that high-value items such as jewellery and tech are stored in a safe if they aren’t being used. Depending on the value of the items, they may refuse to insure it unless it has further security. Having a safe for a family heirloom or one-of-a-kind product gives further peace-of-mind that it can’t be stolen, and it means the insurance company will be more inclined to insure it.

Anthony Neary, managing director for safe.co.uk said “It’s great to see so many of us a treating our friends and family this Christmas, however it’s important to be vigilant with burglaries already on the rise. When paying insurance fees for homes, cars, pets and more, it soon adds up to a large amount of money. We hope people try our tips above to cut down policy costs whilst also protecting presents and homes across the festive period.”