Britain's Most Burgled: Are You Insured?

IN HIGH DEMAND ENSURE YOUR VALUABLES STAY YOURS The inside of your home is a treasure trove of valuable items you use or admire every day. But how safe are your things from potential thieves or disasters? Many gadgets spell "payday" for home invaders, and natural disasters are nearly impossible to predict. Here's a look at what gadgets and valuables to protect from potential thieves and other threats. THE LOOT Electronics and smaller items are popular amongst burglars because they are easy to conceal, but everything has its price. Here are the top 10 desirable gadgets and items typically stored in the home that should be added to your home insurance policy. CAMCORDER £1,139.98 CAMERA £1,500 ......... .... HEIRLOOM JEWELLERY PRICELESS LAPTOP £1.249 DESIGNER HANDBAG FROM £1.080 AND UP FLAT SCREEN TV £1,347.85 ART £0 TO £1,00O AND UP SAT NAV UP TO £1,286 POWER TOOLS UP TO £1.000 OR MORE BURGLARIES IN BRITAIN INCREASED BY 14% IN 2011 TO 745,000, UP FROM 651,000 IN 2010. BY THE NUMBERS £5,218 £1400 BRAND DEMAND 1 IN 20 1 IN 4 (24%) A burglary victim typically loses Unsecured items Apple, Samsung Number of burglaries Number of Brits and Sony products are in the highest left around the home committed with who confess they'd are reported to be valued at £5,218 purchase stolen goods if the price was right. £1,400 worth intent to steal designer-branded goods for resale in 2011. of belongings. demand on the on average. black market. VALUABLES ON THE GO We carry or wear many of our precious items every day without realising the value these possessions hold - running the risk of damage, theft, or loss. According to a survey by Zurich Insurance, the average person will carry £851-worth of handheld gadgets with them every day. For Londoners, this rises to £1,034. Here are some tips to keep valuables safe on your person.. 1. AVOID WEARING FLASHY JEWELLERY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. OR COVER IT UP TO KEEP FROM TEMPTING MUGGERS. KEEP MUSIC AND TABLET 3. GADGETS WELL HIDDEN. HIDE THEM IN YOUR BAG. 2 USE YOUR MOBILE PHONE DISCREETLY. A CARRY ONLY ONE PAYMENT CARD, RATHER THAN BOTH A CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD. 4. LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF CASH YOU CARRY ON YOUR PERSON WHEN GOING OUT. When it comes to your precious MacBook, your brand new Sony HD TV, DeWalt power tools or your high-tech Garmin Sat Nav, take caution and include these more expensive items in your home insurance policy. Confused." com SOURCES: MIRROR ONLINE, ZURICH INSURANCE, AMAZON