BRITS TOP DRAWER STILL TOP DRAW

Age Concern Insurance Services is today warning people to be more vigilant when hiding valuables in the home by keeping them in a safe, locked place.

New research from Age Concern Insurance Services shows that nearly half (47 per cent) of those surveyed hide their most valuable items in a household drawer. The poll also revealed some go to greater lengths to hide their valuables in places like the fridge/freezer, an empty baked bean can in a food cupboard and within a pair of socks.

Nearly half (46 per cent) consider jewellery to be the most expensive item in their home to replace and laptops came second with nearly one in five (19 per cent). Other more sentimental possessions people hide to keep safe include relatives' war medals.

According to the most recent figures from the British Crime Survey, an estimated 726,000** domestic burglaries took place in 2006/07. Although overall burglaries are down four per cent**, Age Concern and the Metropolitan Police provides some top tips**** to protect yourself against a break in:

- Remove temptation - where possible, try to keep valuables out of sight to potential burglars by removing them from windowsills etc.
- Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere outside
- Make it look as though your house is occupied, e.g. by installing timers which switch lights on and off automatically
- If you are away for extended periods, cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers and ask a friend to pop in once a week to check on your home

Jeff Morris from Age Concern Insurance Services says: "Our research shows that nearly half of Brits keep their valuables in unsafe hiding places. We are encouraging people to be more cautious when hiding possessions in their homes, especially those with sentimental value that can't be easily replaced. By keeping valuables in a locked, safe place belongings will be kept secure.

"We would also advise people to check their home insurance policies and specify any items over £2000 - this will provide peace of mind that their possessions are insured to the correct value, in case the worst happens.

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) offers one of the few home insurance policies to allow a very low minimum sum insured, allowing older people with fewer possessions to pay only for the cover they need. ACIS also offers the flexibility to spread the cost of insurance by paying in instalments at no extra cost. For more information, visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/homeinsurance.

For a free, no-obligation quotation or immediate cover call 0845 606 5075^. Calls are charged at a local call rate. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm. Or you can visit your local Age Concern*****.

Profits generated by Age Concern Insurance Services go directly to the Age Concern charity, raising additional funds for invaluable support services such as day centres, home visits and transportation as well as helping the charity campaign for the well-being and rights of older people.

- Ends -


NOTES TO EDITORS

^ If you call the 0845 number you will be dealing with Fortis Insurance Limited, which provides and manages Age Concern Home Insurance
*Research carried out by Age Concern Insurance Services. Sample size: 100 The survey was carried out online by SurveyMonkey between the dates of 26th and 3rd July .
***Premiums vary according to individual circumstances: all applications are subject to underwriting. Written quotations available on request
**Statistics from 'Crime in England and Wales 2006/07' report, issued by the British Crime Survey
****Tips sourced from the Metropolitan Police website
***** Not all Age Concerns offer all Age Concern products. Please check by telephoning your local office, before arranging a visit. Trading Age Concerns are Appointed Representatives of Age Concern Enterprises Limited (ACEnt) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for insurance mediation (311438). ACEnt is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House, 1268 London Road, SW16 4ER. Age Concern Insurance Services is a trading name of ACEnt, which is a trading company of Age Concern England and gives any profits to that registered charity


ABOUT AGE CONCERN HOME INSURANCE

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) offers home contents insurance from under £4 per month and is one of the few insurance policies which offers a very low minimum sum insured, thereby allowing older people with fewer possessions to pay only for the cover they need. Importantly, the policy is index-linked so that the level of cover rises with inflation and the full replacement value of goods will be made available.

AGE CONCERN HOME INSURANCE PROVIDES:
- Contents cover against perils such as fire, flooding and theft that include the option of building insurance. Policies are indexed linked so that sums insured are increased in line with inflation.
- Low minimum contents sums insured from £7,500 (the sum insured must represent the full replacement cost as new of all contents).
- A low £25 excess (for most claims).
- A range of additional benefits are automatically included e.g. costs of alternative accommodation, accidental damage to mirrors and glass, spoilage of frozen food and replacement of external locks if keys are lost or stolen.
- A 24 hour domestic emergency helpline providing advice on where to find qualified and authorised repairers.
- Personalised service, tailored to older peoples needs and treating customers as individuals
- A free legal helpline for independent and confidential advice on any legal problem.
- Option to spread payments over 12 months at no extra cost. Written quotations available on request.
- No hidden extra fees.

AGE CONCERN INSURANCE SERVICES (ACIS)

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) was created in 1983 to offer better value insurance for older people. General insurance was an area in which over-50s had been ill served for a long time. Starting as a local service, it has grown to be one of the UK's leading brands regarding general insurance for older people.

Today ACIS plays a dual role. It endeavours to offer some of the best value policies available while ensuring that these products are designed to meet the specific needs of older customers. All profits generated by Age Concern from selling products and services go directly to support Age Concern's charitable activities.

ACIS' product has developed through demand to include home, contents, travel, motor, and motor breakdown insurance.

Policies can be bought either direct by phone, or through any of the 160 participating local Age Concern groups and organisations. In an age which is becoming more technology driven, Age Concern is invaluable in offering older people a personal service at a local level with which many feel most comfortable.

AGE CONCERN & WHY IT TRADES:
At a local level, Age Concern offers a range of services for older people, such as day centres, luncheon clubs, and advice and information services.

At a national level, Age Concern campaigns with and for older people: developing policy; influencing Government; training care professionals; supporting local Age Concern bodies, financially and professionally.

To fund this work, Age Concern needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities.

Age Concern's trading activities enable it to meet the needs of older people, through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as General Insurance and Energy Services.

Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for general insurance (311438) Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House, 1268 London Road, SW16 4ER Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is a trading company of Age Concern England and gives any profits to that registered charity.