In a typical year, there are about 160,000 break and enters in Canada (1). During a pandemic year, that number could be as much as 147% higher in some cities (2). Keeping your home safe has never been more important.
Let’s discuss…
WHEN ARE HOME BREAK-INS MOST LIKELY TO HAPPEN?
Generally speaking, they occur when you’re least likely to be home, or at least when a burglar believes you will be least likely to be home.
• 4 out of 5 home break-ins take place during the day.
Between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. is when 80% of home burglaries occur because this is usually the time when the majority of people are away from home at work or school.
• Summer months.
July and August are the hottest months (pun intended) when it comes to burglary rates in Canada.
• While on vacation.
When it’s known you’re away for an extended time due to an empty driveway, dark windows or an ill-advised social media post, your home becomes more vulnerable.
• Fridays.
The most common day for home break-ins is Friday, followed by Saturday and then, a bit surprisingly, Wednesday.
Police and monitored alarm companies must have been busy on Friday afternoons during the summer of 2020.
Read more surprising facts about home security.
HOW TO PREVENT HOME BREAK-INS
• Light it up.
The best and the first thing you can do is make sure there is adequate lighting surrounding your home. Even though break-ins happen most often in the daylight, burglars will use the cover of darkness to scope out your property at night. They typically feel safer peering in the windows of darker properties so shining some light can be your best preventative measure.
• Build that wall.
The harder you can make it to physically access your property the better. They say high fences make for good neighbours and we say they also make for discouraged burglars.
• Leverage nature.
A strategically placed shrub can do wonders to deter criminals. Plant bushes under windows to make it more difficult to climb in. If they cannot easily access your homes entry points, they will be more likely to move on.
• Lock it down.
Strong locks on all doors and windows are your last (and sometimes best) line of defence to send criminals packing. Don’t forget your basement windows, burglars sure won’t.
HOW TO PREVENT HOME BREAK-INS WHILE ON VACATION
Since home break-ins occur most often when you’re least likely to be home, a week away on vacation is a vulnerable time for your home. Refer to our holiday vacation checklist for more information about securing your home while away and remember to be careful about what you post to social media so you’re not broadcasting the fact that no one’s home.
HOME INSURANCE AND BREAK-INS
If all preventative measures fail and you become a victim of a home break-in, a good home insurance policy should have you covered.
• Home insurance protects against theft, as well as the damage caused by theft (or attempted theft) i.e. – doors, locks, windows, etc., that may have been damaged by the burglary to gain access.
• Seasonal residence coverage often may have theft or burglary coverage. Burglary requires physical evidence of a break-in, theft coverage does not.
• Homeowner Package Additional Coverage includes:
Arson or Theft Conviction Reward. Your insurance company may pay up to $1000 for information that leads directly to the conviction of any person or persons who rob from any person insured under this policy, or steal, vandalize, burglarize or commit arson to any covered property insured by this policy. The $1000 maximum payment under this section applies regardless of the number of persons providing information.
• The peril of theft may not include loss or damage in the following scenarios:
– Which happens at any other “dwelling” which you own, rent or occupy, except while you are temporarily living (or specifically included on your insurance declaration page). Read when a property becomes vacant for more information about this.
– Caused by any tenant, employee or member of the tenant’s household
– To property in or from a dwelling “under construction” or of materials and supplies for use in the construction until the dwelling is completed and ready to be occupied.
As is often the case when it comes to insuring the safety of your property, preventative measures are superior compared to dealing with the trauma and stress related to recovering from the event.
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.
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SOURCES
1 – https://www150.statcan.gc.ca
2 - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/crime-data-during-covid-19-shows-spike-in-business-break-ins-stunt-driving-1.5539331
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