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88 is most burgled house number

By Martin Fagan - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

Rather than 13, the house number to avoid is 88, says AXA

The house number most likely to be burgled in the UK is 88, according to new research from insurance giant AXA.

Not only did 88 top the list in 2011, but 88 is the only house number to feature in the top ten two years in a row.

The most unlucky numbers for 2011 in descending order were: 88, 80, 68, 91, 96, 13, 73, 79, 77, 78, 83, 87 and 98.

While "unlucky" 13 is in the top ten, it is half as likely as 88 to be a target of burglars and those living at "lucky" number seven are nine times less likely to be a victim of a break-in.

Further data from AXA home insurance shows there is a strong weighting towards higher - rather than lower - house numbers for burglaries and those living in a semi-detached house are most likely to be the victims of a break-in.

"As an insurer it’s always interesting to look at trends relating to burglaries or other risks," said James Barclay, home insurance underwriting manager at AXA.

"We suggest that everyone, no matter what number they live at, takes the time to check they're not creating their own bad luck through poor security or bad maintenance around the home. Many claims we see are not so much bad luck as bad risk management by the homeowner.

"We monitor all sorts of statistics but, at the moment, have no plans to start weighting premiums according to the number on your door."

But those with ‘big’ house numbers should take comfort from the fact that those living at number 70 or 99 were most likely to have won money on the Lottery, says AXA.

Meanwhile, those with a purple front door might want to consider a change of colour scheme as AXA’s statistics reveal they are the most frequently burgled.