London properties at highest risk of burglary - Moneysupermarket

London has the most burglaries in the UK, according to research from Moneysupermarket, with four of the top five postcode areas for theft claims located in the capital.

However, properties in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester top the list, with more than 45 theft claims for every 1,000 home insurance policy quotes.

This is a change from 2012 when the LS13 postcode area in Leeds topped the table with just under 35 claims for every 1,000 enquiries.

For 2013, the remainder of the top five are all based in London (see table, below).

Moneysupermarket said typical contents premiums across the UK are about £95 and nearer £150 for a combined contents and building policy. And the aggregator said high-risk areas could face premiums up to 25% more expensive.

Moneysupermarket home insurance expert Kevin Pratt said: “Places affected by higher rates of burglary insurance claims tends to mean higher annual insurance premiums for those who live there, typically premiums are 24% more expensive on average. Higher value properties could expect to pay even more than this.

“If you have not previously been burgled, but there are higher rates of burglary claims made within your postal district, you are likely to be paying steeper premiums as a result. Insurers often take a blanket approach to assessing postcode districts for home insurance premiums rather than looking at insurance applications on a case-by-case basis.”