When working with high-net-worth clients, you know that ensuring their homes and possessions are protected from burglary is critical. A break-in not only poses a financial loss but also disrupts the sense of security in your client’s personal space. By encouraging proactive safety measures and aligning their insurance with their unique needs, you can help provide peace of mind. 

At this time of year, you might have many clients planning on leaving their homes for extended periods to enjoy the festive period. This mean that keeping their properties secure is all the more important.

The basics: securing doors, windows, and privacy

Securing a property begins with the basics. All windows and doors should be shut and locked when leaving home or retiring for the night. Remind your clients not to leave keys in locks or visible through letterboxes, as these can be easily accessed by potential intruders. Even wireless car keys left near the front door of a property can pose a risk to cars left in the driveway – criminals can make off with a car in less than 60 seconds! 

It’s equally important to maintain privacy within the home. Family calendars, particularly those displaying travel dates or social events, should be kept out of sight from windows to avoid advertising when the property will be unoccupied. Where possible, keep internal doors closed and locked and ensure that any home alarm systems are activated.

To give your clients full peace of mind, an outdoor home security system connected to their smartphone will give them live data of the comings and goings while they’re away.

Making a home look occupied

Homes that appear unoccupied for a period of time are often prime targets for break-ins. Creating the illusion that someone is at home can act as a powerful deterrent. Automated systems, such as timers for lights or radios, can mimic the presence of people in the house. If your clients have a good relationship with their neighbours, they can ask them to keep an eye on the house for extra peace of mind.

Online risks: social media and oversharing

In today’s digital age, social media poses an additional risk to home security. Many people inadvertently advertise their absence by sharing holiday photos or travel details online. 

You should advise your clients to limit such posts while they are away and to review and remove tags from others that could reveal their absence. In recent years, criminals have started to use social media to gather personal information. Details such as addresses, travel plans, and even possessions can be pieced together with minimal effort, making social platforms an unintentional source of valuable intelligence for burglars. Speak to your clients about setting social profiles to private to reduce the risk here.

Protecting valuables and gifts

During the festive period, the visibility of high-value items and gifts can attract unwanted attention. It’s wise to hide Christmas presents from view, avoiding the temptation to place them prominently under the tree. Again, posting images online can be a risk and sharing pictures of gifts should be avoided, as it can inadvertently signal the presence of valuable items in the home. 

When disposing of branded packaging, encourage clients to break down boxes before putting them in the bin to avoid advertising new purchases. Your clients should also take care not to leave presents visible in parked cars, even for a short time, as opportunistic thieves can act quickly.

Don’t forget about other risks

The threat of break-ins is not the only risk you clients should consider this time of year. With the adverse weather that winter brings, there can be other risks like unexpected flooding or electrical faults. If your clients are away over Christmas, freezing temperatures at home could cause plumbing issues such as burst pipes, failed joints, or problems with water tanks. For full peace of mind, your clients could invest in flow monitoring equipment and water leak detectors to protect against this while they’re away. Read our guide for more tips your clients can use to keep their homes safe from these risks.

Being a trusted adviser

By advising your clients on practical safety measures and ensuring their policies are tailored to their needs, you become a trusted partner in protecting their homes and valuables. We can support you to provide protection for the things that are the most important to your clients with our private client home insurance.