14 December 2010

M&S Home Insurance Offers Unlimited Cover Around The Year, Not Just At Christmas

• Increase in domestic burglary in November, December and January*
• M&S Home Insurance offers unlimited cover – policyholders never underinsured**

M&S Money is advising householders to ensure they have a truly 'Merry Christmas' by making home security a priority this festive period.

Crime statistics reveal that domestic burglaries increase during the coldest and darkest months of the year - November, December and January1.

The increased value of property stored in homes in the weeks before Christmas means that householders should be particularly vigilant to the threat of a break-in.

A survey by M&S Money has revealed that security is the last thing on the minds of 39% of householders who say they leave presents under the Christmas tree well before December 25th. Only 7% of householders are security-minded and wait until Christmas morning to put presents under the tree.

Furthermore, only 20% of people say they are 'very confident' about what is covered by their home contents insurance, meaning many people may be unaware they are exceeding the limits of their normal home contents insurance cover.

M&S Home Insurance gives unlimited cover so policyholders can relax knowing that they have a high level of cover2.
Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of Insurance, said: 'Crime figures suggest that criminals see this time of the year as providing them with rich pickings.
'Householders can take practical measures to deter burglars and protect their homes by keeping expensive Christmas presents out of view and closing curtains during the long dark December evenings.

'By making sure you have adequate home insurance you can enjoy festivities in the knowledge that the contents of your home are protected should the worst happen.'

M&S Money offers the following tips for protecting your home this Christmas:

• Do not leave presents lying around in view
• After buying an expensive gift, contact your insurer to make sure that you are covered***
• Keep receipts and photos of your gifts as this will assist in any claim
• Be careful about storing presents outside in sheds - your policy may not cover it****
• If disposing of packaging, do not leave it in nearby bins or outside your house, this is an invitation to thieves
• If you're going away, ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home or use timed lights
• Close the curtains during the long dark December evenings
• Make sure your home is secure over the holiday period if you plan to be away. Exterior doors should be fitted with locks conforming to British Standard, and windows with key-operated locks. Patio doors need locks that prevent doors being lifted.
• Improve security on sheds and outbuildings by replacing standard padlocks with closed shackle padlocks. 

For more information about M&S Home Insurance or to apply, customers can visit www.marksandspencer.com/homeinsurance or telephone 0800 068 2742

ENDS

For further information please call the M&S Money press office:

Simon Coughlin on 020 7992 1574
simon.coughlin@mandsmoney.com

Liz Neild on 01244 686 068
liz.a.neild@mandsmoney.com

Notes to Editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2043 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th November-1st December 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

* According to Home Office Report 'Seasonality in recorded crime'.
** Building and contents unlimited, £500 money cover limit and high liability limits. M&S Money Home Insurance only requires confirmation of items valued at £4,000 plus
*** M&S Money Home Insurance only requires confirmation of items valued at £4,000 plus
**** M&S Money Home Insurance gives unlimited cover for loss or damage to goods stored in outbuildings and sheds. You and your family must take all reasonable precautions to avoid injury loss or damage and take all practicable steps to safeguard all the property insured from loss or damage".

M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, making 2010 the company's 25th anniversary.

The company is a top-ten credit card provider and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance and car insurance, as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer. M&S Home Insurance policies are provided by AXA Insurance UK plc. Terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations apply. Calls may be monitored and recorded.