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Cardiff, UK, March 26, 2012, 9:09 am -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- Confused.com research reveals that 69 per cent of people could be putting their property at risk just by giving out spare keys.
Home insurance experts at Confused.com are warning the nation to wake up to the potential danger of giving out spare keys, advising that everyone be fully aware of how to keep their home safe and to look at the small print of their home insurance policy.
72 per cent of homeowners surveyed by Confused.com didn't know that giving out spare keys could invalidate their home insurance and with almost seven in ten Brits having entrusted a set of spare keys to someone, this is a worrying figure.
In fact, 37 per cent of homeowners admitted to having keys to other people's properties on their own keyring. Wales is the most trusted region with 50 per cent of people stating that they have other people's house keys, compared to the North East and North West (31 per cent respectively).
Worryingly, the UK appears to be a forgetful and clumsy nation with 46 per cent of people admitting to losing their keys and 16 per cent of those homeowners losing their keys when drunk. Worst of all, 17 per cent of homeowners admitted to not having home insurance at all.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) commented: "Clearly people should try to take care of their house keys and think carefully before giving spare keys out. Homeowners must be aware that if you make an insurance claim for theft from your home, and there are no signs of forced entry and you cannot account for your spare keys, your insurer may have reason to question the claim."
Gareth Kloet, Head of Home Insurance at Confused.com, said: "Our advice is simple, if you move into a new home or have given out your house keys to someone you no longer trust or have lost or misplaced your keys resulting in a the risk of a security breach, change the locks.
"It's worth remembering that many home insurers will not pay out unless forced entry is proven. Your home is typically the single largest investment that you'll make and therefore we would encourage anyone without home insurance or adequate security to think carefully about protecting their investment more wisely."
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About Confused.com
Confused.com was the UK's first price comparison site for car insurance.
Confused.com is one of the UK’s biggest and most popular price comparison services.
Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded
its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include cheap home
insurance, and specialised motor insurance
including mini car insurance and car insurance for 17
year olds Confused.com also
offer financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life
insurance quotes.
Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.
Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.
PR Contact:
Sarah Wenham
Confused.com press office
Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AE
02920 434275
www.confused.com
