​BRITS INVESTING £700 MILLION IN SMART TECH TO PROTECT HOMES

Brits will invest £700 million in smart technology security devices to protect their homes from burglars, Allianz Insurance’s ‘Smart Tech Safer Homes¹’ study reveals.

The study looked at the rise of smart technology – and the increasing reliance on it – as the nation strives to protect their increasingly empty homes. It highlighted that Brits are prepared to spend £234 on average on smart security which can include movement sensors connected to mobile phones and wifi locks.

Last year there were an estimated 785,000 burglaries reported against households². Anxious to combat this risk, two in five homeowners create the impression that their home is occupied to deter burglars, but these simplistic methods no longer cut it, as one in five now has plans to invest in smart tech to protect their homes.

British homes are left empty for 91 hours each week – the equivalent of almost four days, as we spend more and more time working and commuting. Allianz Insurance’s ‘Smart Tech SaferHomes’ study found seven in ten homes are unoccupied when burglaries take place – evidence that leaving properties empty for such long periods is risky. Indeed, two in five Brits feel their home is more vulnerable when it’s empty.

Tim Pitts, Allianz Insurance said: “As we work and commute for longer, our homes are now empty for such a huge portion of the week and we know that the majority of burglaries take place when we’re out. Our Smart Tech Safer Homes study shows that more and more homeowners are turning to smart technology to protect their homes. While CCTV and burglar alarms have long been popular forms of crime prevention technology, connected devices provide a level of reassurance that traditional methods simply don’t – and we expect the Internet of Things to continue influencing how homeowners protect their homes in the future.”

My home is my castle

Safety conscious Brits are willing to invest huge sums on smart tech devices, from remote CCTV and movement sensors, worth £112 on average, to text alerts to notify them when someone enters the home costing £90 and remote control gates amounting to £107 per households.

Londoners are already the most tech-savvy homeowners, having spent £112 on remote movement sensors connected to their phones, £105 on text alerts to notify them when someone enters the home and £107 on remote control locks – well over the national average³. People from Wales shy away from such futuristic trends, spending only £66 on text alerts to notify them when someone enters their property. Instead they choose to invest £215 on pets to protect their homes; 21% higher than the national average of £177.

Source: Allianz Insurance

Traditional methods die hard?

While more homeowners are investing in smart tech to protect their homes, they also continue to spend cash on ‘traditional’ security measures. Households spend on average £188 on burglar alarms, and £177 on pets to protect their property, but are only willing to stretch to £88 for sturdy locks.

Home is where the heart is

Homeowners are more concerned with protecting their families than material possessions; one in five invest in home security to safeguard their loved ones, compared to six per cent prioritising their possessions.

Tim Pitts continued: “Being burgled – whether you’re at home or not – is a traumatic experience. Even with the adoption of smart technology and with traditional modes installed, homeowners should act with vigilance and care when leaving homes unoccupied. Simple things like ensuring you’re not broadcasting the fact that your home is empty on social media, and ensuring windows and doors are locked – with the keys hidden out of view – will help to ensure your home isn’t an easy target.”

-Ends-

For more information please visit: https://www.allianz.co.uk/home-insurance.html

Notes to editors:

¹ Research carried out by OnePoll between 09/10/2015 - 12/10/2015 – using 2,000 UK Homeowners

£700 million calculation worked out by calculating the proportion of UK homeowners planning to invest in smart tech (21% of 14,300,000 = 3,003,000) then (3,003,000 x amount Brits willing to invest on smart tech [£234] = £702,702,000)

2Latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales

³UK homeowners average: £91 spent on smart tech, including movement sensors (connected to smart phone), text alerts when someone enters home and remote control locks

For more information please contact:

Rachel Dakin, Lansons, 0207 294 3661AllianzInsurance@lansons.com

This online survey was commissioned by Allianz and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society code of conduct. Data was collected between 09/10/2015 - 12/10/2015. All participants in the survey are double opted in to take part in research. They are paid per survey (the payment differing depending on the length/time taken). This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team, who are members of the MRS.