General Insurance Article - Two fat ladies bring bad luck for homeowners says AXA

 While nearly one in four [1] of us would be put off buying a house numbered 13, AXA suggests that the number we really need to avoid is 88.

  

 Research from AXA reveals that the house number most likely to be burgled in the UK is 88.   Not only did it top the list this year but is the only number to feature in the top ten for two years in a row.

 The most unlucky numbers for 2011 were:

 88, 80, 68, 91, 96, 13, 73, 79, 77, 78, 83, 87 and 98.

  

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

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

  

 But those with big number houses should take comfort from the fact that those living at 70 or 99 were most likely to have won money on the lottery.

  

 Meanwhile those with a purple front door might want to consider a change of colour scheme as statistics reveal houses with a purple door to be the top target for thieves.

  

 James Barclay, home insurance underwriting manager says: "As an insurer it is always interesting to look at trends relating to burglaries or other risks.  We do monitor all sorts of statistics but at the moment have no plans to start weighting premiums according to the number on your door.

 "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."