Trust a stranger but not thy neighbour

• One in four Brits abroad (25  per cent) are happy to ask a stranger to watch their belongings on the beach or poolside
• However, 23 per cent would not trust their neighbours to keep an eye on their property back home
• One in six men (17 per cent) think it is okay to leave a suitcase with a stranger in the airport
• More than one in ten (11 per cent) have lost or had at least one item stolen whilst on holiday in the last 5 years  
   

A quarter (25  per cent)* of UK travellers  are happy to ask a  stranger to watch their belongings on the beach or by the pool,** according to new figures released today by Privilege home insurance.

However, it seems that while we are a trusting bunch when on our travels to foreign shores, this is not the case at home, as  23 per cent of holiday-bound Brits would not trust their neighbours to keep an eye on their home whilst they were away.

Though for many, the relaxed attitude to security while unwinding on holiday comes with consequences, as more than one in ten (11 per cent) travellers have lost or had at least one item stolen in the last five years, further emphasising the need to exercise caution with personal possessions when going abroad.

The survey also revealed that not only are we prepared to risk the safety of a few personal possessions on the beach, but that one in six men (17 per cent) think that it is okay to leave their suitcase with a stranger at the airport. This poses not only a risk of theft, but also the possibility of someone planting something illegal in the luggage which the traveller could then be liable for. However, their female counterparts are less trusting in this way, with only nine per cent of women prepared to leave their suitcase with a stranger.

Dan Simson, head of Privilege home insurance said: “Not many people would hand over their keys, mobile and wallet to a stranger in the street and doing so with a holidaymaker on the beach is no different. Travellers should take care of their personal possessions by locking them away somewhere safe when not needed and keeping them on their person, or with a member of the travelling party, when they are.”

Simson continues: “Travellers should check to see if their home insurance policy includes personal possessions cover away from the home, including when abroad, as this is a great way of insuring things like phones, tablets or jewellery, to name a few, when on holiday. It is still very much worth taking out comprehensive travel insurance to ensure that medical assistance needs are covered.”

Privilege Platinum customers receive personal possessions cover as standard, including cover for 60 days abroad in each policy year.

ENDS

Notes to editors

* Research conducted by Opinium among 2,006 UK adults between 17th and 19th June 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria

**(25 per cent) would ask or have asked a stranger to watch their belongings on the beach or poolside

For further information please contact:

Chloe French

Media Relations Executive

chloe.french@directlinegroup.co.uk

01651 831 715

07770 640 865

Victoria Leyton/Tom Pavey-Smith

Lansons

0207 294 3602/0207 294 3606

privilege@lansons.com

Privilege

Privilege Insurance specialises in car insurance for safe drivers. It also offers home insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England 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.

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

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk

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