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UK residents 'should check property insurance for vandalism cover'

Landlords and other homeowners may want to take measures to prevent anti-social behaviour damaging their properties, a UK property insurance company has said.

A study by Zurich Insurance indicates that one in five Britons have spent at least £400 since 2002 to repair damage done by vandals.

Vandalism to front doors and walls accounts for 12 per cent of the offences, which may be able to be claimed on UK property insurance, the study reveals.

Martin Hall, head of personal lines underwriting at Zurich Insurance, commented: "To help minimise the impact of anti-social behaviour, we believe there are some simple changes that homeowners can make to reduce the chances of falling victim to vandals.

"Robust security measures can be a major deterrent, so installing an effective home and car alarm system and making sure that garden gates and shed doors are securely locked are good places to start."

The firm also recommends that homeowners ensure their UK property insurance is up-to-date and that people make themselves familiar with the cover for damage provided by their policies.

Zurich, a provider of UK property insurance, also provides coverage for cars.