- Home burglaries spike by 38% in the October–December period[1]
- Homes without visible security systems are 300% more likely to be targeted in a burglary[2]
- Google searches for “home security systems” are up 82% in the last 30 days[3]
- Experts from Uswitch Home Insurance share guidance on protecting your home ahead of the darker nights.
As the winter months approach and nights grow longer, the risk of home burglaries rises sharply, with incidents spiking 38% during this period.[1] Homes without visible security systems are 300% more likely to be targeted, and 63% of burglaries occur in homes without even a basic alarm.[2] Failing to take these precautions could cost homeowners an average of £3,030 if they fall victim to a break-in.[4]
Experts at Uswitch Home Insurance, the comparison and switching service, have analysed how security measures influence home insurance quotes and shared practical advice for preparing your home for the darker nights.
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Table 1: The most expensive home security insurance quotes
| Underpinning? | Trees taller than 10M? | Burglar alarm? | How often are you home? | % change from baseline quote* |
| Yes | Yes | No | Day and Night | 54.4% |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | During Day Only | 54.3% |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Day and Night | 52.6% |
| Yes | No | No | Day and Night | 46.5% |
| Yes | No | Yes | Day and Night | 46.0% |
Source: Uswitch.com
*% change is calculated relative to a baseline quote (£146, no extra security features, no issues with Day and Night cover) and is intended to illustrate how different security features can impact premiums.
Winter brings longer nights and an increased risk of burglary, making visible security measures like alarms, upgraded locks, and timed lighting more important than ever. Even if the insurance savings from individual measures are modest, preventing a break-in can save thousands in potential costs and stress. For homeowners looking to maximise both safety and savings, properties with underlying risk factors, such as those with underpinning, stand to benefit the most from investing in security upgrades.
According to new research from Uswitch Home Insurance, underpinning has the single biggest impact on premiums, with costs rising by 46–54% compared to the baseline quote. Properties that have been underpinned consistently attract higher quotes, ranging from £199 to over £226 annually, about £50 more than non-underpinned homes.
This is because underpinning often signals a history of subsidence or structural movement, which insurers price as a higher risk. Properties with visible signs of structural work or uneven foundations appear to be easier targets for opportunistic burglars. Installing robust security measures on these higher-risk properties, such as visible alarms, motion-activated lighting, and secure locks, can therefore not only reduce the likelihood of burglary but also deliver the greatest potential savings on insurance premiums.
Similarly, the presence of tall trees within five metres of a property adds an average of £16 per year to premiums and can raise insurance costs by up to 29% compared to the baseline.[5] Trees near the home can damage foundations, obscure windows, or provide cover for intruders, making break-ins easier. Homeowners should consider pruning or removing large trees close to the house to reduce both insurance costs and potential burglary risk.
Security Measures and Winter Risk
Alarms are one of the most effective deterrents to burglars, and their real value comes in preventing costly break-ins. This is especially important as winter approaches. Reports show that 58% of burglaries happen in the dark in the UK, and overall crime is around 28% more likely after dark.[6] Further reports show an 11% spike in burglary claims in December and January, when longer nights and the festive season create more opportunities for criminals.[7]
Installing a visible alarm system, upgrading locks, and using timed lighting can significantly reduce the likelihood of burglary. Even if the insurance savings are small – installing an alarm can save you 85p from your premiums a year – the cost of replacing stolen goods, repairing damage, and the emotional impact of a break-in make prevention essential.
Protect Your Home This Winter
With burglaries rising sharply as nights draw in, including a 38.11% increase in robbery incidents in the October–December period compared to the rest of the year,[1] Leoni Moninska recommends a few simple steps to protect your property:
- Install a burglar alarm: Even a basic alarm is a visible deterrent to opportunistic thieves and provides peace of mind. Alarms can alert you or the authorities immediately and reduce the risk of costly break-ins.
- Improve outdoor lighting: Motion-activated or timed lights illuminate entrances, paths, and side gates, making it harder for intruders to approach unseen and creating the impression that the home is occupied.
- Use timer switches inside: Lights in rooms visible from the street, controlled on timers, can simulate occupancy when you’re out in the evening or overnight, further deterring burglars.
- Upgrade locks: Key-operated multi-point locks, deadbolts, and secure window locks strengthen entry points, making forced entry more difficult and lowering the risk, which may potentially reduce premiums.
- Trim or remove tall trees near windows: Reducing hiding spots around the property not only improves visibility but can also help lower insurance costs by minimising perceived risk.
- Secure valuables and packages: Keep Christmas presents, tools, ladders and other high-value items out of sight, and plan deliveries so parcels aren’t left unattended.
- Neighbourhood vigilance: Coordinating with neighbours and participating in watch schemes increases overall street security and makes the area less attractive to burglars.
- Remote working benefits: Homes occupied day and night are seen as lower risk. Highlighting constant occupancy to insurers slightly reduces premiums, while the presence of people helps deter crime and detect issues quickly.
Leoni Moninska, from Uswitch Home Insurance, adds:
“Winter brings longer nights and an increased risk of burglary, so taking proactive steps is essential. Installing a visible alarm, upgrading door and window locks, securing sheds, trimming nearby trees, and using timed or motion-activated lighting all make a tangible difference. Not only do these measures reduce the likelihood of break-ins, but they also demonstrate to insurers that the property is well-protected, which can help lower premiums.
Beyond the financial benefits, these precautions provide homeowners with peace of mind, knowing their home is safer during the darker, higher-risk months of the year. Simple, consistent actions can prevent expensive and stressful incidents, making a small investment in security an invaluable safeguard.”
Visit Uswitch Home Insurance for more on the cost of cover
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[1] ONS
[2] Calder Security
[3] Google Trends Data
[4] Jenson Group
[5] It was found that properties with the presence of tall trees within five metres add an average of £16 per year to the home insurance, which equates to 29% more compared to the baseline quote.
[6] Eurekalert
[7] Aviva
Methodology:
- USwitch.com set out to find security factors that can impact your home insurance
- Quotes were gathered using Uswitch, and the average of the top five quotes was used to determine typical premium costs for the property.
- A 3-bed semi property was used as an example to explore home insurance premiums. The scenario assumed a sole occupier with no children, no previous claims, and coverage that includes buildings and contents insurance, legal cover, and home emergency protection.
- The experts looked at how specific factors affected insurance costs, such as whether the house has a burglar alarm, Day & night occupancy, overnight only, or during the day only, underpinning: whether the property has been underpinned and nearby trees: presence of trees taller than 10m within 5m of the building
- This allowed them to isolate the impact of security measures.
- The results offer actionable insights into how homeowners can reduce their insurance premiums and protect their homes, particularly during the darker winter months when burglary risk is higher.
- Data was collected in September 2025, and you can find it here
About Uswitch – saving you money for 20 years
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. We’ve saved consumers £2.5 billion off their energy bills since we launched in September 2000, and also help people find a better deal on their broadband, mobile and TV.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a global group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.
