Beware the end of British Summer Time

I don’t know about you, but I have no idea where this year has gone. The clocks have gone back again which marks the end of British Summer Time and the start of darker, colder days.

But if that’s not enough to cope with – get this; we have now officially entered the most hazardous time of year when it comes to the safety of ourselves, our homes and our possessions.

A decade’s worth of data published recently by insurer Aviva (formerly Norwich Union) has revealed that house burglaries increase by 5% as soon as the clocks go back. And unsurprisingly, it cited bonfire night and Halloween as the two worst days in the year for break-ins to your home and car or malicious damage to property.

According to some ‘after dark’ home safety tips recently published by comparison website, Confused.com, homeowners should keep bins, ladders and anything else that could provide a leg-up for thieves out of their reach, as well as fit sturdy locks and place any valuables out of sight.

But thugs and opportunistic thieves aside, there are more natural causes for higher claims on household insurance once the colder months set in. Flooding, freezing water pipes, and damage to roof tiles and fences from high winds and storms are also far more common.

That’s why it’s especially crucial at this time of year to ensure you are fully covered for both buildings and contents home insurance. Don’t just settle on any deal though – you can save a fortune on the same cover by shopping around and make further savings by buying both parts of the cover at the same time and online.

Now is also a good time to check the limit of specified items within your policy, advises Confused.com. This is because home insurance policies cap cover for single items – typically to around £1,500. In other words any one item that exceeds this value will need to be declared and covered separately.

The biggest risk when the clocks go back however lies on the roads. Recent research from insurer Zurich Connect shows that claims on motor insurance increase by a significant 11% in the two weeks immediately after British Summer Time ends, compared with the two weeks before.

The reasons are pretty obvious. Mike Quinton, a spokesperson for Zurich Connect, says: “Motorists get used to driving their regular routes in broad daylight, and then find it hard to adjust to doing the same journey at the same time but in the dark.”

Having fully comprehensive motor insurance in place is a must before heading out on the darker roads. But again, don’t just settle for the first quote you are offered or even renew your existing deal without shopping around first. You can save up to hundreds of pounds for exactly the same level of cover.

But of course, as I stress to my wife and kids, safety is always the most important thing. When heading out on the darker roads, ensure your windscreen is clean this will reduce the glare from oncoming headlights. Keeping your own headlights clean will also ensure you can see the road ahead and other drivers can see you. Make sure also your tyre pressure is what it should be as this reduces stopping distances on wet or icy tarmac.

Lastly, if conditions are really bad, turn back home – or better still don’t venture out at all. No meeting – whether it’s social or work – can ever be that important.