Gold and jewellery thefts see January spike – Allianz

With thefts of gold and jewellery regularly peaking in January, Allianz has issued a warning for homeowners to reassess their security and insurance needs.

An analysis of 2,800 gold and jewellery theft claims between January 2021 and December 2025 by the insurer revealed that 10% of all such claims came in the first month of the year.

Settled claims paid out an average of £8,000 to policyholders, while the insurer also reported a peak payout of £82,000 for a claim involving two stolen Rolex watches and a Cartier bracelet.

Allianz also highlighted other designer luxury goods such handbags are particularly high-risk in the dark winter months, when thieves are increasingly active.

The insurer recommended that homeowners should invest in home security systems or consider storing high value items in a safe or deposit box, as well as ensure that items have been accurately valued to enable proper insurance coverage.

Tempting target

Graham Wright, managing director of home insurance at Allianz UK, said: “Gold and jewellery items are tempting targets for thieves, especially on dark winter nights when burglaries are more common.

“They often represent significant financial and sentimental value and it’s important that homeowners take action to ensure their valuables remain safe.

“It’s also crucial homeowners check their insurance policy provides enough cover to match the value of their possessions.

“It’s easy to underestimate what your home contents are worth and that can lead to underinsurance. Making sure your total sum insured is enough to fully cover your home and everything in it means you won’t be out of pocket when it comes to a claim.”