You can always count on us for great prices, but at Open + Direct we aim to provide a great deal more than simply a great quote - including a genuine desire to provide you with a really useful service.
This section provides information, answers, hints and tips about some of the different issues that concern our home insurance customers.
Here are a few top tips for making your home as safe as possible.
In your home
- Make your home look lived in while you’re away on holiday or out for the evening, which is an effective way to deter burglars. Leaving lights on and curtains closed are easy!
- Have a neighbour you trust to check your house if you’re going on holiday.
- Ensure all doors and windows are locked properly each time you leave the house – simple but very effective! 36% of burglaries are crimes of opportunity.
- Fit sturdy locks to external doors and windows, with deadlocks where possible.
- Remove all keys from external locks and keep the keys hidden.
- Fit a door chain and spy-hole for added security when you do answer the door.
- Never leave a spare key in a convenient place – if it is convenient for you it is convenient to burglars.
- Ensure your smoke alarms are installed properly and check them regularly.
Flood protection
No-one who has seen reports of flooding on the News can fail to be grateful if they live in a risk-free area. But for those who are not so lucky, what should be done – from an insurance perspective - if the worst happens, and your home is flooded? Flood protection tips include:
- Contact your home insurance provider to let them know what has happened and ask for flood advice.
- Open the windows for ventilation but ensure that your valuables are safe.
- Take photos to provide evidence in case of a claim.
- Do not lift carpets as they may shrink.