Every year in Italy, there are more than 133,000 home burglaries, and the summer period is one of the most critical, as revealed by a survey commissioned by Facile.it to mUp Research and Bilendi, showing that more than 6 out of 10 holidaymakers, nearly 28 million people, fear being burglarized while away on vacation. The fear of burglaries is the top concern for the surveyed Italians, particularly among young people (74% of respondents aged 25-34) and residents of the North East (69%). Interestingly, this fear is prevalent in both large cities (72%) and small towns with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants (67%).
Despite this fear, only 20% of those going on vacation have a home insurance policy against theft. Another concern for vacationers is extreme weather events, with 33% of respondents fearing that their apartment could sustain damage from severe weather conditions while they are away. This fear is more pronounced among residents of the North East (47%). Water leaks and gas leaks worry 23% and 17% of holidaymakers, respectively. The least concern is leaving lights or other appliances on while away, a fear shared by only 6 million Italians.
While only 2 out of 10 holidaymakers have insurance coverage, a significant 8 out of 10 have expressed intent to adopt strategies to minimize risks. The most common strategy is entrusting the security of their home to neighbors or family members who periodically check the property (45%). This practice is more common in small towns (54%) and among respondents over 65 (48%). In 17% of cases, neighbors are also asked to regularly empty the mailbox to minimize signs of prolonged absence from home.
Approximately 16.5 million travelers have opted for security systems, with some protecting their homes with anti-burglary grills (14%) or surveillance systems (27%). These solutions are particularly prevalent in large cities, where the adoption rates are 18% and 36%, respectively. 5% of respondents rely on private security. Some vacationers deliberately leave lights on to deter potential intruders (6.2%), while others keep TVs or radios on (3.3%) to mask their absence from home.
To address these concerns, a comprehensive home insurance policy can protect against damages, theft, and natural disasters. It is advisable to compare policies from different companies, carefully review their features, and choose one that best suits individual needs. Another tip is to avoid disclosing vacation plans on social networks, including dates of absence from home. It is also recommended not to document the vacation in real-time on social media to avoid providing detailed information about your trip to potential burglars.
