Who’s watching your neighbourhood?

Who’s watching your neighbourhood?

More than a quarter of Kiwis belong to a neighbourhood watch group

Auckland, Tuesday 16 June- A new survey by consumer research company Canstar Blue has uncovered that more than a quarter (27%) of New Zealanders belong to a neighbourhood watch group.

But despite being under the vigilant eye of the community, 39% of Kiwis have a neighbour/colleague/friend or family member who has been burgled in New Zealand in the last year.

Half of Gen Ys know of someone who has been burgled compared to 35% of Baby Boomers know of someone who has been a victim of a burglary, says Canstar Blue Head, Megan Doyle.

“It would appear that the experience of witnessing a close one be victimised by theft has led Gen Ys (32%) to join their local neighbourhood watch group.”

The Waikato is the region to watch as close to half of those surveyed (48%) know of someone who has been looted, while Otago appears to has the least incidence of theft (27%).

From the survey, the losses taken in home thefts that irritated the most were photos at 38%, followed by the loss of a laptop (31%) or phone (20%).

Are you up to date?

Kiwis are confident about their levels of cover with 81% saying that they have enough home and contents insurance to protect themselves. Though Gen Ys are feeling more uncertain (65%) than their parents’ generation (84 %.)

New Zealanders are an efficient and risk adverse bunch as 92% say that their home and contents insurance is up to date, which means they are less likely to be caught out in the event that a claim becomes necessary.

Just to be sure they’re as covered as they can be 28% of Kiwis have consulted an expert on the rebuild value of their home. There are more Gen Ys (41%) opting to splash out for an expert’s opinion than Baby Boomers (25%) and more men than women (30%, 24%).

When consulting an expert on the rebuild value of their home, close to three quarters of Aucklanders (74%) accepted the insurance company value, while 26% challenged it. Women are the most likely to accept the value (70%) provided by a professional compared to men who are more likely to push back (43%).

Have you covered all of your bases?

38% of Gen Ys have reduced their cover due to financial restraints while just 16% of Baby Boomers have had to do the same, says Doyle.

“One way to maintain insurance cover and manage premium cost is to opt for a higher excess.

“It is essential to have the right amount of cover. Home insurance is a must-have for homeowners and contents insurance is an essential regardless of whether you rent or own. It protects you if your home is damaged or your personal belongings are stolen.

“If you don’t have enough cover you risk a loss on your goods by not being able to claim their full value back and of course, with no insurance you bear the full loss.”

For the third year in a row, AA Insurance has made a clean sweep, as the only insurer to receive five star ratings across all of the categories.

AA Insurance was the only provider to receive a five star rating for quality of service, says Doyle.

“Prompt and efficient service can be vital if you’re lodging a claim on your home and contents policy.

“Quality of service was the most important contributing factor for a consumer’s satisfaction with their insurer (29%), followed by value for money (22%) and speed of response (19%).

“Canstar Blue congratulates AA Insurance on a consistently high performance that is clearly delighting their customers.”

Kiwis were asked to rate their insurance provider across seven variables:

1. Value for money

2. Ease of claim

3. Process

4. Speed of response

5. Quality of service

6. Communication

7. Overall satisfaction with the insurance provider

Home and contents insurance by region:

Auckland: Aucklanders are least likely (equal with Wellington) to feel that their home and contents insurance is up to date (91%), and least likely to feel confident that they have enough home and contents insurance (78%).

Waikato: Those in the Waikato are the most likely to belong to a neighbourhood watch group (33%), most likely to have a neighbour/friend or family member who has been burgled in New Zealand in the last 12 months (48%), most likely to feel that their home and contents insurance is up to date (100%), and most likely to have consulted an expert on the rebuild value of their home (31%).

Wellington: Wellingtonians are the least likely (equal with Auckland) to have up to date home and contents insurance (91%) and most likely to have had to reduce their cover due to financial restraints (28%).

Canterbury: Cantabrians are the least likely to have reduced their cover due to financial restraints (15%).

Otago: Those from Otago least likely to have a neighbour/friend or family member who have been burgled in New Zealand in the last 12 months (27%).

ends

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