Consumers Need To Exercise Better Online Privacy In A Bid To Protect Insurance Premiums Says Money Saving Website – QuoteBoffin.co.uk
Released
on: March 23, 2010, 7:53 am
Author:
QueryCLick LTD
Industry: Financial
Policy holders could face price hikes on their insurance
premiums or even have claims rejected as the rise and rise of social
networking sees more people advertise their whereabouts and holiday
plans on the internet.
Insurance provider Legal & General recently highlighted the need for consumers to
think twice before broadcasting their vacation plans as thieves could easily scour
social networking sites for potential targets and empty homes.
The continued expansion of Google's Street View program also means burglars have
increasingly thorough access to technology that could help them locate vulnerable
properties.
QuoteBoffin echoed the call for consumers to exercise better online privacy:
“Social networking sites such as Facebook are a great way to let friends know what
you're up to but people have to remember that some pages can easily accessed by
strangers.
“This means absolutely anybody could find out when and for how long you're property
will be vacant which is very dangerous.”
Policy holders are reminded not to give out personal information online, especially
updates regarding their plans to leave the country or their home for long periods of
time.
Twitter users were recently put in the spotlight after the website
www.pleaserobme.com provided real-time updates of empty homes belonging to people
using Foursquare to update their exact location.
The creators of pleaserobme.com were slammed for creating a tool for burglars
despite claiming they were highlighting people's willingness to broadcast sensitive
information such as postcodes.
Although insurance providers have yet to absorb the risk from social networking into
policy premiums, it is up to consumers to protect their possessions by implementing
common sense.
QuoteBoffin.co.uk said: “The insurance industry is definitely concerned about the
impact social networking could have on our possessions as well as our personal
safety.
“Although insurance is there as a safety net during worst case scenario moments,
consumers can do their bit to protect their premiums by refraining from broadcasting
sensitive information in public forums that could then lead to a claim being made."
About QuoteBoffin:
Quoteboffin.co.uk is an online insurance comparison website offering life insurance
comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best life
insurance policies and quotes.
QuoteBoffin.co.uk was launched in February 2010 and is a trading style of David and
Co Consultants Limited.
Contact:
QuoteBoffin.co.uk
MMT Centre
Severn Bridge
Aust
Bristol
BS35 4BL
email: enquiries@quoteboffin.co.uk
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