26 August 2008
Householders with oil-based central heating systems are being urged to check their heating cover to make sure they are protected against stolen oil. According to Abbey Insurance, police have reported a rise in theft of heating oil from domestic residences as prices continue to rise. Some 1.5 million UK homes use oil-based central heating and Abbey believes that one in four of them do not have heating cover to protect themselves against the crime. Its research found that one in ten policies do not cover for oil theft and of those that do only 2% offer unlimited cover on stolen oil. Thierry Campet, Head of Sales and Marketing at Abbey Insurance, said: "It is imperative that homeowners not only pre-emptively protect their fuel, but also have adequate insurance so that they do not find themselves footing the bill if the oil does get stolen." According to the BBC, one homeowner in Cornwall has been a victim of heating oil theft twice this year. Alan Tucker told the broadcaster that thieves stole five hundred litres of the fuel, which is stored in a tank outside his home.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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