December home break-ins spike 48%: protect your property now

These aren’t isolated incidents - they’re part of an annual pattern. Yet too many homeowners leave for their well-deserved breaks with a mindset of ‘it will not happen to me’. We believe that being prepared is the difference between celebrating with peace of mind and coming back to loss, stress, and a complex insurance battle.

To help homeowners and travellers shield their assets, here is a five-point approach that addresses theft, property damage, and overlooked risks:

Document absolutely everything

Imagine returning from a week-long break to find your laptop and jewellery gone. Taking five minutes to photograph and note model numbers, serials, and approximate replacement costs can save weeks of stress and thousands in potential claims. Share these records with your insurer to make any future claims seamless.

Confirm your coverage

Verify that your home contents and building insurance cover both theft and "unoccupied home" situations. Make sure you understand any exclusions, including whether surge or accidental damage (such as from electrical faults) is included - especially if your house will be empty for days at a time.

Make your home less attractive to criminals

Motion-activated lights, CCTV cameras, and alarm systems are proven deterrents. Ask a trusted neighbour to monitor your property and collect mail. Avoid posting real-time updates or destination pictures on social media; even seemingly innocent holiday photos can signal an empty home to opportunistic criminals.

Plan for financial surprises

Keep emergency funds readily available. Delay any risky last-minute spending and appoint a trusted person to manage access to your inventory and insurance details should an incident occur while you’re away.

Lock down your digital life

Holiday periods see a spike in cybercrime. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and log out of accounts you won’t use. Devices left unattended or used on public Wi-Fi are vulnerable - don’t allow hackers to exploit your absence.

Don’t return to loss: protect your home now

The spike in property crime and insurance claims during December is predictable but avoidable. December crime doesn’t take breaks, and neither should your planning. With housebreaking incidents spiking 48% in December, the risk isn’t hypothetical. Skipping these steps could mean spending January dealing with broken locks, stolen items, and rejected claims. Take action now so that you return from your holiday to a home that’s exactly as you left it: intact, insured, and uncompromised.

* Reyneke is the CEO of Multilink Financial Services.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Families heading out for festive getaways often return to find their possessions stolen or their homes damaged - a predictable consequence of December crime surges. The holiday season brings more than celebration; it also brings increased exposure to theft, property damage, and financial loss.

Data from 2024, sourced from insurers including Auto & General and the SA Insurance Crime Bureau, indicates that housebreaking incidents increase by up to 48% in December, with the period between Christmas and New Year posing the greatest risk. High-value items such as electronics, jewellery, and power tools are increasingly targeted by criminals during this season. Other valuables such as appliances, firearms, luxury goods, and even “less obvious” items such as cash, bank cards, and alcohol are also considered to be attractive to criminals.

Statistics South Africa’s latest crime survey reveals that over 1.5 million households (5.7% of all households) experienced housebreaking during the 2024/25 period. Disturbingly, only around 43% of those break-ins are reported to the authorities - one of the least reported crimes to the police - suggesting that the true scale of December risk may be under-acknowledged.