New guidance to help high net worth clients protect their second homes

New research¹ commissioned by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical has revealed one in five (22%) crimes experienced² by high net worth clients happened at their second home or holiday home during the past 12 months.

With rising inflation and the cost of living crisis, wealthy individuals and their second homes are a prime target for criminals, with many unoccupied for many months of the year.

The survey of high net worth individuals in the UK discovered a quarter (23%) have increased occupancy / visits to their second homes (23%) in response to experiencing crime during the past 12 months.

Ecclesiastical recently published a new guide³ which provides scenarios and risk guidance to help high net worth clients minimise the risk of being targeted by criminals.

Ecclesiastical is encouraging brokers to refer to the new guidance at www.ecclesiastical.com/target and speak to their high net worth clients about how best to protect themselves and their households.

Sarah Willoughby, Art & Private Client Business Director at Ecclesiastical, said: “Amidst the cost of living crisis, those who have more to lose are becoming a greater target for criminals. Our latest research shows one in five crimes experienced by high net worth clients during the past 12 months took place at a second home or holiday home. Brokers play an important role in helping high net worth clients understand the risks they are facing and in ensuring they have the right cover in place. We hope our new guidance will help brokers speak to their clients about how they can best protect themselves.”

• Design security using a layered approach, starting from the perimeter of the site, to the building envelope and finally target areas inside.
• Only use reputable and trusted tradespeople.
• Ensure windows are fully locked and high quality locks are installed on all windows and doors.
• Have a safe bolted to a solid/base floor, in a hidden location if possible, and store portable valuables inside.
• Don’t leave jewellery in sight. Use your safe to lock your valuables away.
• Securely store ladders, tools and furniture.
• Consider sharing the cost of a security team with the wider estate and make each other aware of who is expected on the estate. Each home taking responsibility for everyone.
• Consider a monitoring CCTV system.

¹ The research was commissioned by Ecclesiastical Insurance and conducted by BVA BDRC. Online interviews were carried out 5 - 12 December 2022 with 257 UK high net worth individuals with an income of at least £200,000 per annum or liquid assets of at least £1 million.

² 52% (n=133) were victims of crime in the last 12 months

³ www.ecclesiastical.com/target