Why burglar alarms aren't worth the bother

Ruth Jackson with four money-saving tips, including dispensing with burglar alarms and bottled water, spending more at the supermarket and selling your junk. Plus a 'bargain' to avoid.

"Time was when it was worth the expense of buying and installing a burglar alarm, if only for the juicy discount handed out by home contents insurers," says Julian Knight in The Independent on Sunday. But that time may have passed. Attitudes to burglar alarms have changed over the years neighbours are more likely to roll their eyes when a siren starts wailing, rather than rush, golf club in hand, to defend your possessions. As a result insurers are less inclined to offer discounts to those who have them.

"Insurers will only offer them according to their previous claims experience. If they don't think it will make much difference in your area then no discount will be on offer," says Malcolm Tarling at the Association of British Insurers in The Independent on Sunday. The lesson? Check with your insurer whether you would get a discount for an alarm before installing it and get friendly with the neighbours, who might then keep half an eye on your home.

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Ruth Jackson-Kirby

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.