The dark night returns with burglars striking every four minutes

• November sees the highest number of claims from burglaries, with one every four minutes
• Rise in crime coincides with clocks going back and average daylight time reducing by almost two hours compared to October
• November accounts for one in seven (14 per cent) of all home insurance claims for burglary

New analysis¹ from Churchill Home Insurance reveals that as the dark nights return, insurance claims for burglaries increase, with one recorded approximately every four minutes throughout November. Each year, on average, there are 9,800 burglary insurance claims made during November across the UK. This increase in crime coincides with the clocks going back, with November seeing just 8 hours and 39 minutes of sunlight every day, nearly two hours less than the average for October (10 hours, 31 minutes).

Claims analysis reveals a direct correlation between the number of burglaries and hours of daylight, showing that as the hours of daylight contract the volume of burglaries increase. November sees an average of 325 burglary insurance claims per day, 37 per cent higher than claims in July when there are on average 238 claims per day. However, some burglars do seem to take time off over the festive season as December sees nearly 700 less burglaries than November.

The number of burglary claims made each November is 18 per cent higher than the UK's annual daily average. As a result, November also accounts for one in seven (14 per cent) of home insurance claims for burglary.

Table one: Monthly insurance claims trends for burglaries

Month	Average daylight hours	Burglaries per month	Average burglaries per day
November	08:39	9,765	325
October	10:31	9,105	294
December	07:38	9,066	292
January	08:12	8,813	284
February	09:51	8,329	297
March	11:52	8,300	268
September	12:36	7,857	262
August	14:37	7,691	248
April	13:57	7,630	254
May	15:48	7,626	246
June	16:47	7,435	248
July	16:16	7,386	238
All UK		99,033	209

Source: Churchill Home Insurance 2018

Martin Scott, head of Churchill home insurance said: "This analysis highlights the importance of being extra vigilant as we approach the winter months, with burglars preferring to operate under the cover of darkness. As the nights draw in, it's important to take extra security precautions to make life as hard as possible for intruders, including; installing security lights, a home alarm system or smart door bell so you can keep an eye on your home even when you are out and about. It's also important to check your doors, windows and garden gates are locked before you leave the house and keep valuables out of sight.

"Just in case the worst does happen it's important to ensure you have adequate home contents and buildings cover in place. Our policies not only cover the cost of replacement belongings, but our burglary response team are on hand to replace broken locks, secure smashed windows and board up broken door panels 24/7 to ensure our customers feel safe in their homes as soon as possible² after a break-in."

Regional findings

The average number of claims in London each November are the highest of anywhere in the UK, at more than 1,673. The lowest number of claims were in Northern Ireland at 99 claims in November, closely followed by the North East with 171 claims. In London, claims rise by 29 per cent on average each November and in the East Midlands by 25 per cent.

Table two: Regional breakdown of burglary claims in November

Region	Number of claims in the month of November	Average number of burglary claims in November compared to overall UK average per annum
London	1,673	29%
South East	1,214	18%
North West	1,135	11%
East of England	1,018	23%
East Midlands	956	25%
West Midlands	917	21%
Yorkshire & The Humber	906	10%
South West	717	23%
Scotland	661	9%
Wales	295	10%
North East	171	-9%
Northern Ireland	99	30%

Source: Churchill Home Insurance 2018

• ¹ Churchill analysis of theft claims data for the period January 2013 – December 2017. Analysis conducted in October 2018. Total figures calculated based on Direct Line Group's market share.
• ² Churchill's 24/7 burglary response ensures that day or night an engineer will be available to temporarily secure damaged windows and doors. Excludes Highlands and Islands. Policy and Cover limits apply. Underwritten by UK Insurance Ltd.

Claire Jarrett
Churchill PR Manager
Tel: 01651 832 411
Email claire.jarrett@directlinegroup.co.uk

Samantha Stewart
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
samantha.stewart@citigatedewerogerson.com
0207 282 2856

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill 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.

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com