Burglary insurance + security. Do you bother?

[JimO]

if you dont lock up you may find the insurance company will be reluctant to pay out, my main security is two dogs, one inside at night and one outside and the only way in is through a squeeky gate that wakes the dogs every time so by the time someone is 1 meter on to the property the dogs are ready to go

[Flip]

My dog is more valueable than any thing else I own, to me.

[Big Dave]

Fully monitored call out alarm and comprehensive household insurance here.
You only have to learn that lesson once.

[Winston001]

Interesting.

I shouldn't have included insurance in my question. Its common sense to have that.

And as JimO says, your insurance policy requires you to take reasonable steps to secure your property. Had a case once where State refused to pay on a house arson cos the property was empty and not secure.

Locking the door when you leave is fair enough but some people go to great lengths to have security alarms and latches on windows, and deadbolts worthy of a prison. I can't see the point.

When you look around your house, for most of us - what is there to steal? If some yob wants to stagger down the street with my 46" plasma...good luck but I don't think he'll get far.

[Scuba_Steve]

Locking the door when you leave is fair enough but some people go to great lengths to have security alarms and latches on windows, and deadbolts worthy of a prison. I can't see the point.

When you look around your house, for most of us - what is there to steal? If some yob wants to stagger down the street with my 46" plasma...good luck but I don't think he'll get far.

some thief's bring vehicles & even mates

As for shutting your place down like a prison, unless you actually are literally shutting it down as good as a prison it's largely futile if someone wants to get your stuff, however you might deter the opportunists.
'course if your've got aluminum windows & the crim has even the slightest bit of intelligence he only needs 30secs to be in, regardless of the amount of deadbolts & window locks or latches you may have

[Jantar]

...'course if your've got aluminum windows & the crim has even the slightest bit of intelligence he only needs 30secs to be in, ....

Most windows I've ever seen have been glass or acryllic. Aluminium ones may not let much light through.

[Big Dave]

When you look around your house, for most of us - what is there to steal?

And some of us do OK :-P
We had over $30k worth nicked - fortunately it was insured.
The replacements are much better protected.

You can't beat them - the trick is to make it a harder target than the place 'next door'.

[Akzle]

i could care less about a TV (not that i have one) but they took a laptop with all my first daugter's baby photos on it, my camera with half a roll of film (yes FILM) shot... it's the stuff that's not worth money that they f*ig take anyway. and sell it on for less than even the hardware would be worth.

they also jacked a few airguns and my cash stash of ~2k$

but fuck it.

i believe in karma.

[Peeteey]

My dog is more valueable than any thing else I own, to me.

I understand that completely!

[hellokitty]

You should worry, Daisy is so cute and adorable..!

My dog is more valueable than any thing else I own, to me.

Yup, people do steal dogs....... I would be frantic if Daisy was taken.
I love my baby, who else would put up with my constant cuddling and affection? Would drive Mr Hellokitty crazy

[FJRider]

Locking the door when you leave is fair enough but some people go to great lengths to have security alarms and latches on windows, and deadbolts worthy of a prison. I can't see the point.

When you look around your house, for most of us - what is there to steal? If some yob wants to stagger down the street with my 46" plasma...good luck but I don't think he'll get far.

It is about the cost of a couple of jugs of beer to buy a new toaster at the Red-Shed nowdays ... and the TV you bought (second-hand) a while back is hardly worth mucn now either. But the hassle/inconvenience and cost of replacing it ... plus the repair bill for the damage they did on entering ... can mount up.

Some low-lifes would rather just pinch things ... and then save themselves the price the price of a few beers. And simply not give a thought for the rightful owners ...

[hellokitty]

Insuring your household contents is not only for theft, but for fire too. Imagine if your house burnt down, the cost of replacing everything, appliances, clothes, furniture etc, would be huge. I probably have $10K of bike gear alone.... may not be worth it, if I sold it, but if I had to replace it...

[Akzle]

Imagine if your house burnt down, the cost of replacing everything probably have $10K of bike gear alone.... may not be worth it, if I sold it, but if I had to replace it...

(insurance is expensive, until you need it.)

i rest my suitcase.

[steve_t]

Insuring your household contents is not only for theft, but for fire too. Imagine if your house burnt down, the cost of replacing everything, appliances, clothes, furniture etc, would be huge. I probably have $10K of bike gear alone.... may not be worth it, if I sold it, but if I had to replace it...

That's the bugger with replacement value vs market value

[tigertim20]

I have a relative who locks every window and takes half a day off work to let a serviceman into her home. No leaving a key out for access.

In fact I know plenty of people (mainly ladies) who are fearful of burglars. I do understand how unsettling the idea of a stranger going through your home can be but is the security paranoia worth it?

In reality, what have you got to steal?

In my case a couple of laptops, DVDs, a big flatscreen...and sod all else.

Coming from someone who was the victim of a home invasion, its seldom about what you have to steal. Your home is and should be, your castle. Its YOURS, a safe place for you to escape. I was home and beat the fuck out of the cunt that broke into my house, he was pretty seriously injured, this is MY home and i WILL defend it, myself and my wife. I am extremely lucky I was awake at the time, it could have been very different if I was asleep. that was about 2 years ago now. I used to sleep like a log, I still wake up to any small sound in the night and go charging through the house prepared to dish out extreme levels of violence to any cunt who shouldnt be there - its an awful thing.

a home invasion as well as a burglary basically result in the same thing, the sanctity of YOUR home has been spoiled, it no longer feels safe. Most poeple will survive just fine financially if the TV and a few items go missing, I think the more important factor is knowing you have a safe home that is yours, a place where you feel secure and protected. once thats gone, its a hell of a psychological mindfuck to go through