Home insurance broken into.....again

philjay50

Last Monday night my garage was broken into for the second time in two years and the third time in about ten years. The bad guys just rip the double doors open, how we don't hear them is amazing. Anyway my question is, should I make a claim, I am concerned that the insurers will hike my premiums to and excessive amount.
The value of goods stolen is probably about £1000.00 and my xs is £250.00.
Anybody had any experience, thoughts please
Thanks

Quentin

Do dummy quotes online with and without the claim and see what difference it makes.

Sally_A

Maybe change to an up and over, and fit garage defenders
http://www.elitesecuritysupplies.com/garage-door-security.html?p=1

After our flimsy up and over was lifted up from the corner, Aviva paid for the door, and Homeserve would have charged £105 per garage defender, but as you can see from the above link they are available much cheaper.

If you have to have double wooden doors, maybe line them with metal sheeting, or a grille. Many people spend loads on a great big padlock at the opening, but forget about the frailty of the hinge side of these doors.

What were they after? In our case it was an off road bike - luckily I'd already put the fear of God into hubby, and the bike was stored with the front wheel removed and taken into the house (95% of the thieves are local yobbos who want to nick bikes and ride off on them). It was also chained.
If it was garden machinery, consider getting a Sold Secure grade chain and a ground anchor (also available from the above site - and no, I do not own the site or have any financial interest - but found the chappie there helpful, quick and far cheaper than other sites).

Also be aware they know you will most likely replace the stolen items in a few weeks, so don't leave obvious packaging by the bins.

forgotmyname

Are they a yale type lock or a padlock?

Get a decent padlock with a hasp and staple that bolt through not one that uses screws. Then on the back use a metal plate to extend the load area in case they try to force it.

Then get some steel cable or chain and bolt that to the hinge side with just enough slack for the door to do its job.
One near the Top, Bottom and one or 2 in the middle.

Bolt those through the door also and through the frame.

Thats about as secure as its going to get and fairly cheap.

Fit a cheap shed alarm to the doors also?