£750,000 of jewellery stolen every day last year

• £274 million of jewellery stolen in 2017 – equating to over £750,000 every single day
• Rings (26 per cent), watches (17 per cent) and bracelets (seven per cent) are the most stolen items by value
• Londoners most at risk with one in five items of jewellery stolen from residents in the capital
   

New analysis¹ from Direct Line Home Insurance reveals more than £750,000 of jewellery was stolen every day last year, with a total retail value of £274 million.
 

Collectively, rings were the most valuable item stolen, accounting for more than a quarter (26 per cent) of the total haul of stolen jewellery at £71.6 million. They were followed by watches (17 per cent), bracelets (seven per cent) and earrings (five per cent).

Table one: The most stolen items of jewellery in 2017

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2018
 

On a regional level, one in five items of jewellery were stolen from homes in London last year (20 per cent), making it the jewel theft capital of the UK. This was followed by the South East and the East of England (both 12 per cent) and the North West (11 per cent). London also had the highest number of items of jewellery stolen relative to the number of households, with around 15 items stolen for every 1,000 households in the capital.
 

Table two: Regional share of jewellery theft

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2018
 

Rebecca Clapham, head of household products at Direct Line, commented: “Items of jewellery are often amongst the most expensive purchases people can make, though the full extent of damage caused by jewellery theft cannot be measured purely in financial terms. Many items of jewellery also hold significant personal and sentimental value to their owners, with heirlooms being passed down through the generations and new items being purchased for major life events such as birthdays, engagements or weddings.
 

“Whilst any item can be physically replaced, the loss of items with more than just financial value is much harder to cope with. Prevention is obviously better than cure, so taking the necessary steps to keep your valuables safe in your home is paramount. However, in the event you do face a break in it is vital to ensure your valuable items are insured.”
 

Top tips for keeping your jewellery safe:

• Home security: Householders should regularly check their homes are secure against thieves. Remembering to lock windows and back doors, and set  your burglar alarm are all good ways of deterring unwanted intruders when leaving your home unoccupied. Simply having visible home security devices such as alarm systems or cameras outside your property can also act as a deterrent. 

• Get covered: In the unfortunate event that your jewellery is stolen or lost, it is essential that you have all your valuable items covered under your home insurance policy. Insurers usually offer various levels of contents insurance depending on how much the jewellery collection is worth, so it is important to give as accurate a figure as possible to ensure that all items are covered.
  
  
• Stay up-to-date with valuations: The value of jewellery can change over time, due to fluctuations in cost of precious stones and metals. It is therefore wise to regularly have your jewellery collection valued and keep your insurance up to date so your valuables are adequately insured in the event of theft or loss. It is worth revaluing your jewellery at least every three years. It is also important to take care of your jewellery to ensure that they maintain their value.
  
  
• Buy a safe: If you have a large jewellery collection, or any particularly valuable items, it may be worth investing in a small safe to store your valuables in. These can often be inexpensive and can be secured to the wall or floor and give you reassurance when you’re not at home that your items are safe.

• Take photos jewellery items can often be repaired, replaced or replicated, so it is important to have a few extra photos, just in case.

For more information on how to ensure that your jewellery is fully covered under your contents insurance, please visit: https://www.directline.com/home-cover/jewellery-insurance
 

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

• ¹Direct Line analysis of claims data for stolen jewellery in 2017. All figures relate to the retail value of an item and not a claim value. All figures extrapolated to cover the entire UK based on Direct Line’s claims data and market share
   

For further information please contact:

Claire Jarrett

PR Manager 

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 832 411

Email: claire.jarrett@directlinegroup.co.uk
 

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Antonia.green@citigatedewerogerson.com

0207 282 2967

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
 

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com/home-cover