A reminder from the silver screen
The classic movie scene is familiar. Kevin, a little child, unintentionally left home alone while his family vacationed abroad. He first thinks having the house to himself was a blessing until robbers tried to break in. However, savvy young Kevin understood how to keep the criminals away. He turns all the lights on, cranks up the TV, and sets the phonograph to play dance music. Along with this, a cardboard cutout stuck to a model train that seems like people dancing behind curtains. The burglars get a not-to-happy surprise. They find someone home and had to rethink their strategy to break in and steal. As skilled lawbreakers would, they eventually smart up to the kid’s antics and get access, but the plot twist is something that endeared us to this movie. In this article, we will discuss burglary and property coverage.
A reminder of reality
Numerous social media pictures show robbers proudly delivering items placed on porches and doorsteps, often with closed-circuit video cameras in their faces.
Some victims strike back by wiring shipments with cunning non-lethal booby traps. Who hasn’t seen videos of these anti-burglar surprises? A few examples are parcels that would burst with various colored paint. Others utilize stink bombs or smoke that would leave marks inside automobiles and on the burglar’s faces and bodies.
Amusingly, some social media vigilantes rigged motorcycles and enticed criminals to shatter in half mid-ride, heat up and burn through the rider’s trousers, or explode with a little explosive. Fast justice and a terrible lesson.
Burglary, Larceny, and Robbery
All three, if committed, carry a prison sentence, plain and simple. The common Joe may use the terms interchangeably and may generally brand perpetrators as “thieves” or “burglars”.
Britannica, on one hand, defines Burglary as “the unlawful taking of property within premises that have been closed and in which visible marks are evidencing forcible entry”. It is in itself a particular class of criminal undertaking.
Larceny, on the other hand, is similar, but without entering into someone else’s property.
Whereas in a Robbery, there lies an element of threat or actual use of force and even violence during the commission of the act of unlawfully acquiring another person’s possession.
The latter requires personal contact between the perpetrator and victim, while the first two acts do not.
Fast forward to the Holidays. Most people become frantic these days. The shopping frenzy has begun for some, while others have yet to finalize their gift lists for others.
Some choose to do it at the last minute, thinking that the horde will have finished theirs and there won’t be as many people in the shops. But sadly, some become frantic and pressured for an entirely different reason.
In 2019 alone, there were an estimated 1,117,696 burglaries in the United States, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting. Experts believe this is due to desperation among individuals who want to give presents but can’t afford them. To meet the desire, a burglar steals. Knowing that presents and parcels are sitting on porches, stairs, or beneath trees in unoccupied houses of inhabitants who are presumably partying elsewhere exacerbates the issue. Thus, “porch pirates” are individuals that drive about and scan houses for prey.
Burglars Can Tell
Security experts share some professional and practical tips on how to avoid becoming a victim and ensure that your loved ones get to keep and enjoy their gifts:
- Top on the list is to get a comprehensive home security system with an audible alarm or at the very least an automated or time-programmable lighting system. If nobody’s home, lights turning on at sundown or even at a press of a smartphone button will give the impression that there is someone inside the house. Figures show that seventy-four percent (74%) of aborted burglaries are due to blaring security alarms.
- Avoid posting your out-of-town trips on social media. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of criminals use social media to scout possible targets.
- Avoid leaving empty boxes of your expensive purchases in trash bins or yards for trash pickup. This may signal the presence of these pricey items inside homes, so it is good to cut the cardboard boxes up before disposing of them in the bins.
- Keep blinds down or curtains closed. If burglars can see the inside of homes, with no one home and gifts strewn around the Christmas tree or in front of fireplaces, that becomes an open invitation to loot.
- Avoid leaving packages on porches. Vendors usually advise delivery schedules of packages, so it is best to coordinate. Make sure someone is home to receive the delivery.
- Advise mailmen and newspaper boys to forego delivery for the duration of your vacation. A pile of mail and newspapers in your front yard are clear indications that the house is empty.
- A weedy lawn is a sign that no one’s around to do the mowing. You can probably arrange for someone to do the trimming at strategic intervals.
Epilogue
Everyone knows the ending. Kevin, the youngster accidentally left at home while the family went on vacation, eluded the thieves, who were finally caught. His mother returned in time for Christmas, and the rest of the family joined her to enjoy the most delightful time of the year.
We don’t know how badly McCallister’s house was damaged or what Mr. McCallister had to do to fix it. But we hope he had these things: Dwelling Coverage, Replacement Cost Coverage, and Personal Property Coverage.
Homeowner’s Insurance Dwelling Coverage pays for repairs and replacement. Replacement Cost Coverage pays for a comparable item of the same value that sustains damage. A Scheduled Personal Property Coverage that boosts homeowner insurance limits of the assets and covers their replacement.
We’re Here To Help regarding Property Coverage!
Insurance protects your house and belongings. Also, homeowners insurance gives you peace of mind knowing you can replace or repair them if they sustain damages.
If a burglary occurred, homeowners insurance would cover theft and break-ins. Personal Property coverage covers residential theft. Dwelling and Other Structure coverage covers damage from house break-ins and other structures like garages and sheds. Broken doors and windows are typical.
Call the specialists to handle the minor stuff when things become rough. Calling for assistance is important whether you need a vehicle, homeowner’s insurance, or advice from insurance experts. Contact us for solid guidance. We will always locate the right insurance solution to make your life easier. Our Advantage Insurance Solutions (AIS) insurance professionals here in Denver, CO can help you locate the best carrier to protect people, families, and companies in Denver, CO, and 40 other US States.
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