Regardless that this summer has pampered us by a really warm weather, according to what forecasters say, the autumn also is going to be unusually warm, at least by now. Until the autumn morning chill creeps in, people quite often prefer to leave their windows open in ventilation position, thus easing the way for some sticky fingers to reach into their property. On the other hand, in autumn months, in anticipation of colder weather, the risk of overheating and inflammation or heating boilers gets higher. Data collected by BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (BTA) suggest that the number of claims reported under Property insurance this year has grown by 40% and 2.3 million euros already have been disbursed in indemnities to cover losses.  

1040 insurance claims have been received for theft cases during summer months until now, and a large part of these claims have been received just for theft cases in Riga and Riga region. Thieves do not restrict themselves to visiting only private houses, they also manage to sneak in through open windows on the third floor or left open recessed balconies. Insurance claims applications name cases, when property has been burgled, when a theft of valuable items along carries damaged locks, doors and windows. Things taken by thieves include household electric appliances, household objects, bankcards and valuables, as well as work tools and bicycles. Burglars also target garages, basements and sheds.

With the chilly autumn evenings and heating season nearing, BTA suggests checking the operability of the heating system. Last year, the heating season started on the 1^st of October and during the season BTA received 76 applications regarding fire risk occurrences and disbursed nearly 202 thousand euros in indemnities, which was double the amount in 2016. The occurrence of fire risks during heating season often are due to overheating or inflammation of boilers. Fire safety also becomes an issue to consider in the cold moths of the year, when candles are lit in houses. They can turn, quite accidentally and unexpectedly, the cosy and festive mood into a disaster.

BTA notes the positive tendency that the majority if private individuals increasingly often perceive the need to insure their property as a self-evident necessity. The sad part is that most come to the decision to insure their property only when already have faced a damaged property once. When property is not insured and then is visited by thieves or damaged by natural disasters, the owner can run into quite considerable material losses.  

"If you do not want to feel like having a hole in the wallet, I would strongly advise to insure your property. Although, you should not forget about preventive measures beforehand, to be made to avoid undesirable situations. Although we still enjoy the warmth of this autumn, we should be getting ready for the dark time of the day and the heating season. The dark time of the day is to the favour of thieves, offering them cover to get away unseen, while carrying stolen goods, while the heating season poses probability of accidents with overheating and even inflammation of boilers. Property insurance, just like any other type of insurance, is an investment in the future for safety, in case an unexpected accident happens. It definitely is a sense of safety that you will not remain without support after an accident," says Kārlis Liepiņš, BTAInsurance Claims Handling Department Director. 

About BTA

BTA Baltic Insurance Company is one of the leading insurance companies in the Baltics, offering the broadest range of non-life insurance services in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. BTA employs more than 1,000 employees in the Baltics. The largest shareholder of BTA is Vienna Insurance Group AG with 200 years of experience in the insurance industry. More than 50 companies in 25 countries constitute the group, which employs 25,000 employees. Vienna Insurance Group AG is a clear leader in its core markets in Europe maintaining high rating of financial stability – Standard & Poor’s A+ (stable outlook), with a listing on the Vienna and the Prague Stock Exchange.

Additional information:
Elīna Rasmane
Marketing and Public Relations Department Director
BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS
e-mail elina.rasmane@bta.lv