BIBA urges everyone to ensure their new possessions are fully covered following a busy Christmas period

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has urged everyone to make sure that that their insurance policies cover all the gifts that they and their families received this Christmas.

The warning comes on the back of the latest crime figures that show that muggings and theft in the UK are on the increase. According to the British Crime Survey 98,204 robberies took place in the 2005/06 compared to 90,747 in 2004/05, an increase of 8%.

Graeme Trudgill, BIBA Technical Services Manager, commented:

“New phones, ipods and other electrical gadgets are prime targets for would-be thieves. It is important that people don’t let their guard down after Christmas.

“We save up all year to buy these presents and it is an awful loss when they are stolen or lost within just a few weeks of ripping off the wrapping paper. It is everyone’s interest to ensure they are covered for such a potential loss.

“We are urging everyone to ensure that they include personal possessions cover on their home insurance and speak to their insurance broker about insuring other expensive items whether inside or outside of the home.

Notes to editors

Robbery is defined by the Police as “any offence in which force or the threat of force is used either during or immediately prior to a theft or attempted theft. It covers a wide variety of different incidents including, mobile phone robbery and street mugging.”

The British Crime Survey can be accessed online here:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/crimeew0506.html

For Further Information, or to speak with Graeme Trudgill please contact:

Leighann Burtrand on 020 7397 0223 or e-mail burtrandl@biba.org.uk