Changing face of household fears

Published 07th Sep 2007

Identity theft is a bigger concern for homeowners aged over 50 than vandalism, according to the latest research.

Over 80 per cent of respondents in the survey carried out by Saga Home Insurance said they were worried about falling victim to identity theft, replacing more traditional homeowner concerns such as being uninsured, which just over half were worried about.

The top household fear was being burgled, something which plays on the mind of almost nine in ten Saga customers. Aesthetics are not forgotten though, with external damage to property a high priority with over three quarters of people highlighting vandalism as a worrying thought.

Perhaps surprisingly after the large scale recent flooding, under a third citied flooding or storm damage as a major concern.

The research also showed that today’s over 50’s make peaceful neighbours, with over half saying that they were not at all fearful about disputes with their neighbours, and only a tiny 7 per cent citing this was an important concern, suggesting them to be closer to neighbours from heaven than hell.

Groups of people loitering on the streets was also a relatively low worry, with only one in five scared by this phenomenon.

Andrew Goodshell, chief executive, Saga Group LTD, said: “The findings from our customers reflect how society is changing. Twenty years ago identity theft was a rare occurrence, but now it is something everyone must be aware of. It has replaced more traditional concerns such as flooding and being uninsured.

“The survey also highlights that neighbourhood disputes appear to be a thing of the past, suggesting that the over 50s make the best neighbours.”
By Jennifer Lowe

Source: ' What Mortgage '

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