Burglar alarm installation 'is not linked to home insurance premium reductions'

Improving security on cars and homes will not necessarily reduce car and home insurance premiums, it has been claimed.

According to Tescocompare.com, while adding an alarm to a car or house will no doubt reduce the threat of burglary it will not have a significant impact on car and home insurance bills.

Specifically, Tescocompare.com research shows that an average saving of £5 can be made on an annual insurance premium through installing a burglar alarm, and that £1.70 is the average reward for a car alarm.

As a result, Paul Baxter, director of commercial and partnerships at Tescocompare.com, has urged consumers to assess the impact of installing an alarm on premiums before actually doing so.

"If you are planning on saving money on your insurance premiums you should make sure you check your options first," he commented.

"It is definitely worth running a range of quotes on an insurance comparison site prior to fitting any alarms to make sure you are aware of the best insurance options for you, whether this is with or without added alarms."

However, he did concede that Installing alarms to property and cars would afford the owner "peace of mind", so the investment may be worthwhile regardless of its effect on premiums.

A survey conducted by Virgin Money recently suggests more than one in six homeowners keeps a weapon in their bedroom in case they encounter an intruder.

23/07/2008 17:47:49