MoneySuperMarket reveals top burglary claims hotspots amid pandemic

Birmingham’s B5 postcode has been tipped as the top claims hotspot for burglaries for the second year running - however overall, during the pandemic this type of crime has reduced.

This is according to price comparison site MoneySuperMarket’s annual burglary claims hotspots research, which looked at 3.1m home insurance claims over the last two years, picking out locations of claims for home contents theft within a five-year period.

Birmingham’s B5 hotspot includes Digbeth, Highgate and Lee Bank. These areas had 69.44 home contents theft claims per 1,000 quotes – this was up by 22% from 57.14 in 2019.

Cities overall were found to have the highest claims, with 19 postcodes out of the top 20 located in Britain’s three largest cities – 13 in Greater London, three in Greater Manchester, three in Greater Birmingham and one in Sheffield.

Kate Devine, insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Our research reveals that after a few years of rises, burglary claims started to fall this year – something we believe is most likely linked to the various lockdown restrictions implemented over the past 10 months.”

This follows prime minster Boris Johnson announcing at the beginning of the year that the UK was to be plunged into another national lockdown after coronavirus cases of the new variant soared.

Top five

The top five postcodes with the highest average claims are:

1. B20 - Birchfield, Handsworth Wood, Perry Barr - £9,250

2. AL2 – St Albans - £5,000

3. RM13 – Rainham - £5,000

4. TW13 – Feltham - £5,000

5. UB3 – Southall - £5,000

These are all Birmingham and Greater London postcodes. 

In the darker months, burglaries are more common, with claim numbers being 22% higher in the autumn compared to spring.

And houses remain the preferred target of burglars – being over 12 times more likely to be burgled than flats.

Fewest burglaries

In contrast, residents in Bideford, Devon were least likely to make a burglary claim, with 0.53 claims per 1,000 quotes.

And the Welsh postcode of SA18 (Ammanford) and PL26 (St Austell) are also low burglary targets, with claims rates of 0.68 and 0.91 per 1,000 quotes respectively.

Devine added: “If you’re unlucky enough to have been a victim of burglary, it’s possible that you’ve seen an increase in your premiums.

“Our research finds that a previous burglary claim adds up to £36 on your premium on average.”

She recommended shopping around if customers wish to reduce their premium price.

Highest Amount of Burglary Claims
Rank	Postal District	Postcode location	Rate (per 1000) *
1	B5	Digbeth, Highgate, Lee Bank	69.44
2	RM4	Adbridge, Theydon Bois, Stapleford Abbotts, Lambourne End, Stapleford Tawney, Navestock, Passingford Bridge, Bournebridge	69.26
3	E9	Stratford	59.44
4	SE21	Dulwich, Dulwich Village, West Dulwich, Tulse Hill, Sydenham Hill	58.90
5	B15	Edgbaston and Lee Bank	57.47
6	EC1V	Finsbury East	57.07
7	B95	Stratford upon Avon, Henley in Arden	55.21
8	E5	Upper Clapton and Lower Clapton	51.34
9	N21	Winchmore Hill, Bush Hill, Grange Park	51.00
10	SK4	Stockport, Four Heatons	50.66
11	IG7	Chigwell	50.16
12	TW12	Hampton, Hampton Hill, Fulwell	49.86
13	N2	East Finchley	49.24
14	IG8	Woodford Green	48.15
15	S7	Sheffield (Sharrow, Millhouses, Carter Knowle, Nether Edge)	47.91
16	M21	Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Firswood	47.85
17	EN5	High Barnet, Arkley	47.47
18	M20	Didsbury, Withington	47.24
19	IG5	Clayhall	46.93
20	TW1	Twickenham, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill	46.69

Deterrent

Meanwhile MoneySuperMarket’s research also found that there was a 7% fall in theft rates, with an average of 14.98 claims per 1,000 quotes – down from 16.03 in 2019.

But after consecutive years of claims increases, MoneySuperMarket said that this fall is likely because more homes are occupied as a result of coronavirus restrictions – something which acts as a deterrent to would-be burglars.

Devine continued: “With more people at home than normal, it makes sense that potential burglars would see this as a deterrent, which could explain the fall in claim numbers.

“While the fall is undoubtedly a good thing, it’s important to remember that burglaries remain a reality across the UK, so it’s important that you protect your home.

“One way to do this is to look at the type of locks you currently have in your home, to help bolster the security of your doors and windows. Further measures such as burglar alarms, security lights and timers on your indoor lights that give the illusion of occupancy are also effective deterrents against burglars.”