Lack of thought risking home cover

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Forgetfulness is placing more than 10% of UK adults at risk of invalidating their home insurance cover, research has found.

While people are well aware of the measures they should take to reduce the cost of their home insurance - such as fitting burglar alarms and locks to doors and windows - by not locking up many are leaving the door open for burglars.

The research from Newcastle Building Society revealed that the top acts of forgetfulness by UK residents were; leaving the house with appliances still running, failing to check their smoke alarm battery, leaving the curtains or blinds open with possessions on display, leaving the house without locking the windows, setting the burglar alarm or locking the doors.

The research also found that a third of those who admitted to one of the instances of forgetfulness had made a home insurance claim in the past.

Equally people seem not to refrain from such acts even though they are fully aware of measures to take to secure their homes and reduce their contents insurance cover.

Steven Marks, Lending Executive at Newcastle Building Society commented: "While it is encouraging to see that many people are aware of the measures to take to reduce their home contents insurance bill, it is worrying to see the number of people who admit to forgetful acts over a year; especially if they have made a claim in the past.

"If people really want to feel the benefits of their home contents cover they shouldn't leave their home at risk even if it just to pop to the shops."

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