Home & Legacy helps clients reduce risk of burglaries

Home & Legacy has teamed up with forensic security experts, SmartWater, to become the UK’s first home insurance provider to supply its policyholders with the company’s unique theft deterrent.

As of June 1, all new and renewing policyholders will receive a SmartWater Theft Prevention System which is proven to reduce burglary by actively deterring criminals. Recent research has shown that 74% of criminals would not enter a building if they believed SmartWater to be present*.

SmartWater is a forensic property marker with a unique chemical “code”. It can be applied to anything deemed of value from jewellery to electrical items, is virtually impossible to remove and provides irrefutable evidence of ownership.

Commenting on the partnership, Barry O’Neill, managing director, Home & Legacy, said: “Recent Home Office figures prove that domestic burglaries in England and Wales are on the increase. We are taking a proactive measure by including an innovative risk management solution for our clients.”

He added: “SmartWater is proven to dramatically reduce the threat of burglary and will help prevent our policyholders from suffering the trauma caused by theft or loss of sentimental items. In the longterm, SmartWater can help to reduce claims and keep our premiums competitive.”

Phil Cleary, chief executive, SmartWater, added: “SmartWater is used by 95 per cent of UK police forces to target criminals and obtain convictions. Our personnel work with law enforcement agencies on covert operations, identify stolen property, and attend court hearings to pursue prosecutions.

“This activity is all geared towards benefiting SmartWater customers by heightening its power as a criminal deterrent. We are delighted that these benefits will now be available to all Home & Legacy policyholders.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. *A report for SmartWater Technology Limited by Professor Martin Gill, Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International Limited, January 2008.
2. Please find SmartWater and Home & Legacy logos attached.
3. SmartWater is a unique crime reduction strategy with a proven track record in reducing and deterring crimes such as burglary and robbery. SmartWater uses stateoftheart forensic technology to link criminals with the crime scene, and property to its owner, providing police with irrefutable forensic evidence to aid the prosecution of offenders. Responsible for more than 500 convictions across the UK, SmartWater maintains a 100% conviction rate when used as evidence in court. For more information about SmartWater, visit www.smartwater.com
4. Home & Legacy Insurance Services Limited is an independent high net worth insurance provider offering high quality insurance policies that are underwritten by a choice of six of the UK's leading insurers at exclusively negotiated rates. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Holdings plc.