More and more in recent times, thieves in Ireland have been targeting unprotected oil supplies in both residential and business homes. With oil prices reaching record highs over the past few years this has proven to be a terrible blow to households with little to spare, facing rising costs for home heating.
There was a big increase in this specific crime in the latter half of 2010 in Ireland, when temperatures, and demand for home heating oil was high. By siphoning out the oil in unguarded free-standing oil tanks, thieves can easily and quickly – and most importantly quietly remove thousands of euros of fuel in a relatively short space of time.
Most at risk are isolated houses in rural areas, while residential suburban areas, most notably terraced houses reporting the lowest incidences of this particular crime. However, commercial properties with higher volumes of fuel for stealing have found themselves targeted and have resorted to extensive security measures in response to ever more aggressive thieves. In these particular cases, more sophisticated equipment and a greater level of violence is associated.
Business and residential home owners must ensure that their fuel supplies are safe and secure. Luckily, most insurance policies will cover the cost of the theft of oil – but there are a number of insurance factors within the policy that are of note. Some insurance policies talk about ‘due care and attention’ this means it is necessary to prove you made an effort to protect your valuables. So, your home insurance may not cover you for oil if the oil tank was unprotected. A simple lock may not actually deter a committed thief, but a broken lock is physical evidence that a thief was on the premises.
Read your home insurance policy and check under contents – the tank is not covered for damage, but the contents of the tank should likely be included as one of your personal belongings. After all, you paid for it, and you brought it to your home! Your house insurance policy may then go on to say that ‘oil may not be excluded’ that is – it is covered as part of your contents insurance. Most home insurance policies require that stealing or attempted stealing involves forcible and violent entry. So if your home fuel was not locked, and was easy for someone to walk in and take, you may not be covered.
For commercial premises with large amounts of fuel it is imperative that the fuel storage area is well lit, totally secure and that individuals with access to the area are approved and known to each other at all times. Security signs and CCTV can also be an effective deterrent. The most important thing of all is the health and well being of those working in the area and these are best practice guidelines to reduce the risk of violent theft.
For both residential and home insurance cover, the best idea to read your policy, or if in doubt call your insurance provider and ask them to clarify the ins and outs of your policy. Best practice anyway would be to pick up a good quality lock and avoid the confusion and dismay of a tank emptied before it’s time!
