The UK’s leading price comparison website, MoneySuperMarket analysed 3.1 million home insurance claims to identify the postcodes with the highest and lowest rate of claims for home contents theft within a period of five years. The data shows an overall 2.5 per cent increase in claims at an average of 16.04 claims per 1,000 in 2019 — up from 15.65 in 2018.
According to MoneySuperMarket’s annual burglary claims tool, those living in central Birmingham are most at risk of a burglary with postcodes B5 covering Digbeth, Highgate and Lee Bank topping all other postcodes with a 5.714 per cent chance of being burgled.
Unsurprisingly, metropolitan areas rank highest with 18 out of the 20 top postcodes being located in the UK’s three largest cities, Greater London, Greater Birmingham and Greater Manchester.
Does your postcode feature in the top 20?
| Highest Amount of Burglary Claims | |||
| Rank | Postal District | Postcode location | Rate (per 1000) * |
| 1 | B5 | Digbeth, Highgate, Lee Bank | 57.14 |
| 2 | B94 | Olton, Solihull | 52.63 |
| 3 | IG5 | Clayhall | 51.64 |
| 4 | N21 | Winchmore Hill, Bush Hill, Grange Park | 50.13 |
| 5 | M21 | Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Firswood | 49.22 |
| 6 | BS7 | Bishopston, Horfield, Filton | 49.13 |
| 7 | SK4 | Stockport, Four Heatons | 49.12 |
| 8 | B96 | Redditch | 49.06 |
| 9 | WR12 | Broadway | 47.97 |
| 10 | IG9 | Buckhurst Hill | 47.83 |
| 11 | SK8 | Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Gatley, Heald Green | 47.62 |
| 12 | IG4 | Redbridge | 47.12 |
| 13 | B15 | Edgbaston, Lee Bank | 47.08 |
| 14 | E18 | Woodford, South Woodford | 47.04 |
| 15 | M20 | Didsbury, Withington | 47.02 |
| 16 | RM14 | Upminster, Cranham, North Ockendon, Bulphan | 46.80 |
| 17 | GU23 | Send, Ripley, Ockham, Wisley | 46.80 |
| 18 | NW11 | Golders Green, Hampstead Garden Suburb | 46.79 |
| 19 | SE21 | Dulwich, Dulwich Village, West Dulwich, Tulse Hill, Sydenham Hill | 46.12 |
| 20 | IG7 | Chigwell | 45.89 |
You can check how your area compares to surrounding postal areas and other locations across the UK. And, you can find out how to improve your home security and reduce your chances of being burgled.
Emma Garland, data scientist at MoneySuperMarket, commented:
‘Our research shows that burglary claims are continuing to rise, adding up to £50 to your premium. This could be down to burglars targeting more affluent areas, in order to steal desirable and expensive items. People in these areas are often more likely to have home insurance — simply because they can afford it — so we could see more claims as a result.
‘It could also be because we’re seeing an increasing amount of people owning high-value portable tech such as wireless headphones, fitness trackers, tablets and smartphones. These are all easy to steal, potentially contributing to the rise in the number of claims.
‘Whatever the reason, it’s increasingly important to protect your home against theft. One option could be to look at the type of locks you currently have in your home, to help bolster the security of your doors and windows. Further measures such as burglar alarms, security lights and timers on your indoor lights that give the illusion of occupancy are all deterrents to burglars.
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
