Home insurance advice for summer weather

Home insurance customers have been given some advice on preventing thieves from taking advantage of the hot summer.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has pointed out that, with open doors and windows, many properties could be targeted by opportunistic criminals.

It has therefore suggested that ladders should not be left outside, while keys should also be kept out of sight.

Furthermore, doors and windows should be shut if the house is empty for even a few minutes, while garden sheds should always be locked.

Nick Starling, director of general insurance and health at the ABI, said: Everyone wants to relax in the sun, apart from burglars who are on the lookout for easy pickings.

Insurance can of course provide financial compensation, but it cannot compensate for the trauma of a burglary. Being aware of the risks and taking a few simple precautions will ensure that you do not become a victim of summer thieves.

Meanwhile, MS Money recently warned that homeowners could find their properties suffering from subsidence as a result of the dry weather.