The UK's price comparison site analysed 2.6 million home insurance enquiries on the site last year and found London held five of the top 20 postcode districts most at risk of theft or burglary, followed closely by Nottingham which has four. The research revealed SW11 in Clapham and N8 in Hornsey are the most risky postcode districts in London, and NG5 in Arnold and NG2 in West Bridgford claim the top spots for Nottingham - NG5 also takes the top spot overall, ranking it as the riskiest place to live. Other postcode districts at high risk of theft and burglary include LE3 in Leicester as well as Ellesmere Port in Cheshire*.
Julie Owens, head of home insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "Along with many other UK cities London and Nottingham are classed as high risk areas for crime and it is no surprise to see these areas dominating the top 20. The research highlights a broad mix of areas across the North and South of the UK so it is clear that no matter where you live, there is always a risk you could become a victim of theft or burglary, and this should not be taken with light consideration.
"Properties classified as being in a ‘high-risk' area - whether that be for crime, or something like flooding or subsidence, could mean the price of your insurance premiums will be affected. Unfortunately there is no escaping this and to make matters more complicated, there are no hard and fast rules which apply. Most insurers have a blanket approach when it comes to assessing postcode districts for home insurance and this really needs to change. If houses are evaluated on a case by case basis it would mean homeowners received quotes at the best possible prices for their individual circumstances.
"With the UK in the midst of recession, and recent ABI statistics reporting that in the first quarter of 2009, the cost of burglary insurance claims topped £100 million, making it the most expensive quarter for five years**, homeowners need to be extra vigilant when it comes to security for their homes. You never know when an opportunistic thief may strike, and I would advise ensuring your home contents insurance is fully up to date, and is at a high enough level to cover all belongings sufficiently."
The 20 UK postcode districts most likely to claim for theft or burglary on their home insurance
Postcode District * Town * County
1 - NG5 * Arnold * Nottinghamshire
2 - LE3 * Leicester * Leicestershire
3 - NG2 * West Bridgford * Nottinghamshire
4 - CH66 * Ellesmere Port * Cheshire
5 - LS8 * Roundhay, Leeds * West Yorkshire
6 - SW11 * Clapham * London
7 - S8 * Sheffield * South Yorkshire
8 - N8 * Hornsey * London
9 - CR0 * Croyden * Surrey
10 - BN3 * Hove * East Sussex
11 - NG3 * Sherwood * Nottinghamshire
12 - NG8 * Bilborough * Nottinghamshire
13 - BR3 * Beckenhem * Kent
14 - M28 * Manchester * Greater Manchester
15 - LS15 * Grossgates, Leeds * West Yorkshire
16 - E17 * Walthamstow * London
17 - BS7 * Bristol * Avon
18 - SW6 * Fulham * London
19 - SE23 * Forest Hill * London
20 - SL6 * Maidenhead * Berkshire
Results based on 2.6 million home insurance quotes on moneysupermarket.com for twelve months (full year 2008)
