Residents of Launceston in Cornwall should carefully consider the type of property crime insurance they have to adequately protect their belongings. While Launceston’s overall crime rate of 91.4 per 1,000 is very close to the UK average of 91.6, the property crime rate specifically is 22.8 per 1,000 residents. This suggests a need for robust protection against theft and damage.
Generally, a 'contents' insurance policy is the most relevant for property crime. This covers your possessions within your home, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and jewellery, against theft, fire, and accidental damage. It's important to distinguish this from 'buildings' insurance, which covers the structure of your house itself. Most homeowners will require both.
Considering the property crime rate, it’s vital to ensure your contents insurance policy has a sufficient sum insured. Underinsuring can mean you receive less than the value of your lost or damaged items. Take a detailed inventory of your possessions and their value to determine an appropriate sum. You should also regularly review this figure as the value of your belongings changes.
Beyond the basic contents cover, consider adding optional extras. These might include cover for high-value items away from your home (e.g., jewellery, cameras), accidental damage to carpets and upholstery, or cover for loss or theft of outdoor items like garden furniture.
The safety score for Launceston is 76/100, which is slightly below the UK average of 79/100. While this doesn’t directly dictate the type of insurance required, it reinforces the importance of having comprehensive protection in place. Taking preventative measures, such as installing alarms, security lighting, and robust locks, can also reduce your risk and potentially lower your insurance premiums. It’s crucial to disclose any security measures to your insurer.