Ryno de Kock | Head | Distribution | PSG Insure | mail me |
The latest Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey has revealed that, despite slightly improved perceptions of safety within South African communities, housebreaking and burglaries remain a key concern.
In 2024/2025, an estimated 1.5 million incidents were recorded. This represents 5.7% of households in the country.
Housebreaking and property crime
Housebreaking is topping the list of non-contact crimes. This underscores the need for both households and businesses to ensure adequate insurance coverage against property-related theft and losses.
Expanding on the report with year-on-year comparisons, Stats SA declared that the number of housebreaking incidents has decreased slightly from 2022/2023, when 1.56 million incidents occurred.
Theft of personal property affected an estimated 1.2 million people, or 2.6% of those aged 16 and older, down from 1.3 million in 2023/24. While this shows some improvement, many residents, particularly in metro areas, continue to face the risk of crime. Another frequent type of property-related crime reported over a five-year period was motor vehicle theft.
The survey shows that the percentage of households impacted decreased slightly from 1.2% to 1.1%. However, with 216,000 cases recorded over the last year, motor vehicle crime remains a significant risk. These statistics highlight shifting crime trends, which residents and business owners should monitor closely.
Insurance checkpoints
The slight downward trend in non-contact crimes should not lead to complacency. Incidents of housebreaking, theft of personal property and motor vehicle theft remain serious risks. They require constant vigilance and preventive measures. Monitoring shifting crime trends is crucial, as patterns can change rapidly and influence the level of risk.
The first step clients can take to protect property and belongings is to review insurance policies at least annually. It is also important to understand any limits on cover for events such as burglaries or theft, as well as any exclusions that may apply.
Homeowners should also ensure that high-value items such as personal electronics, jewellery or artwork are correctly covered. These items can either be included in the overall household goods sum insured, specified individually under the relevant section of the policy, or insured separately through a dedicated cover for expensive collections.
Reduce crime exposure
Beyond maintaining adequate insurance cover, individuals must be proactive in protecting their belongings.
Besides installing appropriate security systems, homeowners should engage with local neighbourhood watch programmes. They can volunteer directly or participate in alert groups to foster a culture of vigilance among neighbours. In addition, commercial property owners should align security measures to the value and type of stock stored.
Depending on the nature of the goods, requirements may include linked alarm systems or 24-hour security guards. This is where an insurance advisor’s guidance becomes critical. Advisors help ensure that protection levels match potential exposure.
For businesses, theft cover operates on a first-loss basis, which requires setting an appropriate value based on potential risk. While systems and protocols are important, employees must also be trained on security procedures and made aware of risks. Human error often remains a major vulnerability.
Reducing the likelihood of theft or vandalism
Motor vehicle security should meet insurers’ minimum recommendations, which may include installing tracking devices and alarm systems. Car owners can also take simple safety steps, such as parking strategically in well-lit, busy areas or secure locations. These measures help reduce the likelihood of theft or vandalism.
Likewise, to mitigate the risk of personal property theft, adopt a multi-layered approach that combines vigilance, organisation and precautionary measures.
For example, valuables should be kept out of plain sight, whether at home, in the office or in a vehicle. By taking these proactive steps, individuals can significantly reduce the likelihood of substantial losses should an incident occur.
Monitoring shifting crime trends helps residents and businesses stay prepared and make informed decisions about prevention and insurance coverage.
