More than half of Australian homes may be prime targets for burglaries, with new research from Compare the Market revealing the majority of households don’t have any form of home security system to deter thieves.
Compare the Market’s latest data found that 57.4% of Australians don’t have alarms or cameras installed at home –a disturbing statistic given that around 171,400 homes experienced an attempted break-in between 2020 and 2021. Just 16.4% of homes say they had alarms installed, 13.8% say they have cameras and 12.4% say they had both alarms and cameras in place.
There’s been a 3% increase in homes with cameras compared to the same time last year, as technology evolves.
| Location | Alarms | Cameras | Alarms and Cameras | No home security |
| Australia | 16.4% | 13.8% | 12.4% | 57.4% |
| New South Wales | 20.7% | 10.2% | 11.8% | 57.3% |
| Queensland | 8.6% | 18.7% | 9.1% | 63.6% |
| Victoria | 15.8% | 12.4% | 13.9% | 57.9% |
| South Australia | 20.8% | 15.3% | 13.9% | 50% |
| Western Australia | 18.3% | 16.3% | 17.3% | 48.1% |
Source: Compare the Market’s August Bill Shock Survey of 1,001 people. ACT, TAS and NT excluded due to low sampling data.
With more families looking to travel overseas as international borders reopen, Compare the Market’s General Manager of General Insurance, Stephen Zeller, says now’s not the time to be complacent about home security.
“The days of lockdowns are behind us and with more Australians returning to the office for work or leaving their homes vacant while they take a much-earned holiday, it, unfortunately, creates a perfect opportunity for brazen thieves,” Mr Zeller says.
“While the victims of crime are never to blame, we know that home security systems, alarms, cameras and motion-censored lights can deter potential thieves.
“Some home and contents providers may even offer lower premiums if your home has external sirens, as they can deter someone from breaking into your home and reduce the chance of you having to claim.”
The research found that Queensland homes are more likely than other states to have no home security (63.6% compared to the national average of 57.4%). However, more Queensland respondents say they have cameras installed (18.7% compared to the national average of 13.8%).
Meanwhile, Western Australian homes are more likely to have both alarms and cameras installed (17.3% compared to the national average of 12.4%) and South Australian households are most likely to have alarms installed (20.8% compared to the national average of 16.4%).
“Many homes fall victim to burglary every year and it’s worrying that more Australians don’t have home security measures in place to deter thieves,” Mr Zeller says. “While home and contents insurance can give you peace of mind if the worst happens, some items are irreplaceable, and no one wants to discover that their home has been ransacked.
“We’d like to see more households taking their security seriously – especially as we approach the school holidays and Christmas period when Aussies might be travelling.”
The survey results also show that:
- Baby Boomers are most complacent when it comes to home security (65.2% admitting they have no security measures in place)
- The tech-savvy younger generation are most likely to have cameras installed (21.4%)
- Gen Xers are most likely to have both alarms and cameras in place (17.3%).
“This data shows us that all Australians – no matter their age – could be doing more to protect their belongings,” Mr Zeller says. “Worryingly, 6.7% of Australians admitted to leaving their doors unlocked sometimes and 2.1% said they always leave their doors unlocked.
“Crime can happen anywhere and at any time and the last thing we want is for households to welcome criminals into their homes. Insurers may also deny claims if you haven’t taken reasonable measures to protect your home, so always keep this in mind.”
| Mr Zeller’s top tips for securing your home. 1. When searching for a contents insurance provider, always list any security measures you have in place at your home. Some insurers may offer a lower premium, while others may not insure you if they deem you don’t have enough security in place (such as not having deadbolts or window locks in high-crime areas). Compare the Market’s home and contents insurance service allows you to compare a range of products and providers in one location. 2. Adding generic security signs or stickers can also warn thieves that a loud, alarmed security system may go off if they enter, which may deter them. 3. In addition to the usual lock and key, consider barrel bolts, chain locks, deadbolts and smart locks for added security. 4. A security camera, video doorbell or another form of CCTV surveillance could prove advantageous if your home is burgled and you need to claim with your insurer. Any evidence you can gather about the crime can increase the odds of your possessions being recovered and your claim being processed and approved if you do have to claim. 5. Never leave your keys hanging in plain sight or in an obvious hiding spot (such as under the doormat or in a pot plant). This could give thieves easy access to your home. |
For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, travel and personal finance products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
