Major insurance firm Youi reveals property crime and home break in statistics across Brisbane changed during COVID-19 lockdown months

Break-ins and property crime across some Brisbane suburbs have plunged during COVID-19 because of one thing that could now lead insurers to slash premiums. SEE IF YOUR SUBURB HAS HAD A CRIME DROP

THIEVES are doing it tough during the coronavirus lockdown with break ins and stealing falling to the lowest level in several years as scores of Queenslanders work from home.

Queensland Police statistics analysed by insurer Youi show that during March, April and May property crimes, unlawful entry, property damage and stealing from dwellings across many areas of Queenslanders declined.

The biggest drop was seen in Far North Queensland with 21.67 per cent fewer property crimes reported from the start of the lockdown in March. On the Sunshine Coast, reported property crimes dropped 12.28 per cent while in the Brisbane South region there was a 5.47 per cent decline.

In recognition of the reduced crime rate, Youi is offering customers a discount on their home insurance premiums. Major Brisbane suburbs saw big declines in crime including Sandgate where there was a 45.69 per cent drop, Petrie where reported property crimes fell 27. 57, North Lakes (down 16.57 per cent), Albany Creek (down 22.34 per cent) and Annerley (down 36.3 per cent). Queensland police declined to comment.

Hugo Schreuder from Youi.

Youi chief executive Hugo Schreuder said that because many of the company’s customers were spending more time at home their property was safer.

“If fewer property crimes are occurring because people are home because of COVID-19, this should be reflected in home insurance premiums,” said Mr Schreuder. “Not only because risk assessment forms the basis of premium calculation, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

He said when calculating premiums for home insurance customers, one of the important questions was how much time people spend at home, as this is considered a deterrent to property crimes such as unlawful entry and stealing.

“With people at home much more due to Covid-19, Youi claims for property-related crimes were down on what we have seen for the same period in recent years and these trends were also evident across many areas of the state according to the Queensland Police Service’s publicly available statistics,” he said.

Mr Schreuder said the three-month premium relief offer would provide a 10 per cent refund for all existing customers, as well as new customers who are at home more due to the COVID-19 crisis.