Roller shutters and home insurance.

javiergonzalez

I've just been chatting with a salesman who sells roller shutters, I'm looking to have some installed, and wondered if there is any evidence of reductions of house insurance costs after fitting them.
I've spoken to my insurance company and they'll have an answer for me next week as they weren't too sure today. Any anecdotal evidence would help putting a bit of pressure on them.
Having lived with roller shutters for a large part of my life, I can not understand why they are not fitted in the UK.
Thanks.

dacouch

Not much of the premium goes towards theft claims so any discount is likely to be in the region of 5% and that might only be off the contents part of the policy.

Don't buy security products on what it will save you in premiums, buy whats best for you and is in your price range.

I would not be surprised to find 90% of Insurers offer no discount for shutters

jonesMUFCforever

javiergonzalez wrote: »

I've just been chatting with a salesman who sells roller shutters, I'm looking to have some installed, and wondered if there is any evidence of reductions of house insurance costs after fitting them.
I've spoken to my insurance company and they'll have an answer for me next week as they weren't too sure today. Any anecdotal evidence would help putting a bit of pressure on them.
Having lived with roller shutters for a large part of my life, I can not understand why they are not fitted in the UK.
Thanks.

Maybe because they look ugly?? Just my 2p worth

javiergonzalez

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Maybe because they look ugly?? Just my 2p worth

Interesting comment, I am more than happy to look at buildings with shutters and much prefer them to the uPVC windows that attack my eyes on a daily basis. I suppose it's a question of being used to something.

@dacouch- security isn't the only reason for buying, but every little counts, no? ;-)

withabix

The commission that you would be paying the salesman and the huge markup would outweigh the lifetime savings that could be made on your insurance...

phill99

You will probably find that because so few homes in the UK have them fitted that insurers have no data on which to prove whether they reduce burglary or not. Therefore they will be unlikely to reduce your premium.

rs65

javiergonzalez wrote: »

security isn't the only reason for buying

Just curious, but why are they bought?

cattie

javiergonzalez wrote: »

I can not understand why they are not fitted in the UK.
Thanks.

This has also puzzled me for many years, seeing as how common they are in many other European countries. I view shutters as having a double benefit, not just for security but also they must help with insulation and heat loss.

javiergonzalez

rs65 wrote: »

Just curious, but why are they bought?

From my point of view it's mainly to keep light out. Streetlights and I hate being woken up at sunrise, equally the rooms are kept cooler in the summer. This is what I'm used to. We never had air conditioning when I was in Spain.
They tell me that they insulate too, I need convincing for this with specific details as most reports are general.
Security is the third reason..... I am paranoid.....
I think the main reason that they are not popular here is because of the image.

forgotmyname

Shouts, Look i have expensive items to protect. Or be are doing illegal stuff behind these shutters maybe?

If your the only house with them it makes your property stand out.

Where i used to live the only house that ever got broken into was the only one with an alarm. Its about blending in and not looking out of place.

Other ways into a house besides the windows and doors.

jackyann

Although (obviously) you can get out in the event of fire, they do slow down the exit.
once attended an excellent home security information event put on by our local council. The crime prevention & fire prevention officers agreed, that whilst you can both protect your home and organise an exit; when you get to extra layers of security, you just have to decide which bothers you most!