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Enjoy festival fever, but watch for crime in the crowds
Enjoy festival fever, but watch for crime in the crowds
Over three million people are primed to don their wellies
Albany,
NY,
United States of America
(prbd.net)
17/05/2011
Over three million people are primed to don their wellies, pack up their tents and head to one of the 500 festivals being held in the UK alone this summer. But with the crowds comes the risk of crime.
Figures from Glastonbury last summer* show that overall crime was down on 2008, but there were still nearly 450 crimes over the three days, with the majority of offences for theft from tents or pick-pockets in the “mosh pits” and crowded dance areas.
What’s more there’s plenty of rich-pickings for opportunist thieves looking to nab a free ipod. According to Aviva, the UK’s largest insurer, it’s not unusual for many people to take over £500 worth of valuable personal belongings, including mobile phones, mp3 players, Blackberries and jewellery. Add to this cash, credit cards, tents and sleeping equipment and you’re on your way to nearly £1000 worth of valuables per person.
All your valuables as well as camping gear like tents, cooking equipment and binoculars can be covered under the Personal Belongings section of your home policy. This means you are covered anywhere in the world if your belongings are stolen, but also if they are accidentally lost or damaged.
It covers everyone who lives permanently in the home, so if parents have added it to their policy, the teenage kids will be covered too!
Personal Belongings cover starts from around £15 a year with Aviva’s direct insurance policy for home and covers:
•Clothing and personal belongings up to your chosen limit (from £2,000 up to £10,000 with the maximum limit for any one item being £1,500)
•Up to £500 of personal money
•Credit cards up to £1,000
Rob Townend director of property claims at Aviva, says:
“Meeting friends, listening to bands and packing the wellies are the main thing on the festival goer’s check list, but it’s worth considering whether all your essential items in the ruck sack and tent are covered if they were lost, damaged or stolen.
“Essentially none of your everyday belongings are insured, by standard home insurance, when you’re out and about – whether it’s in a muddy festival field or at a concert at Wembley – unless you have additional Personal Belongings cover. It could be you already have it on your home contents policy, so just check and make sure and if you don’t you might want to consider adding it on.
“People on mass in packed crowds are a prime target for light-fingered thieves who will capitalise on opportunism during the fun. So think about basic security measures to ensure you’re not advertising yourself as an easy target.”
The majority of crime at festivals or concerts is easily avoidable, here are some steps that you can take to protect your personal belongings:
Tips for festival-goers
• •Do you really need to take all your valuables? If you’re going in a group do you all need an iPod
• •Separate cash from cards and only take one bank/credit card if you can
• •Use the free lock-up areas provided by the festival organisers or ensure personal belongings are kept close and within sight
• •Take cheaper costume jewellery if you want to go bling, rather than the cherished engagement ring. Lost or stolen jewellery can be claimed for if you have Personal Belongings cover but it’s often of irreplaceable sentimental value.
• •Don’t flash the cash or the expensive hi-tech gadgets
• •Keep valuables with you at all times and never leave them unattended in a tent or car – not only are you advertising your possessions to wannabe thieves, insurance companies will expect you to take reasonable care of your belongings
• •Take a cross-body bag, not one that can be grabbed from your shoulder
• •Report any lost or stolen belongings to the police as soon as you can, as you will need a crime reference number to give to your insurer http://www.aviva.co.uk/home
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