MAKE SURE YOU COVER UP THIS FESTIVAL SEASON

• Music festival-goers are advised not to leave their possessions unprotected
• John Lewis Home Insurance offers advice to those people going to events this summer
• Home insurance might cover you for loss or damage, but check your policy before you go

This weekend, thousands of music-lovers will be heading to Glastonbury to unofficially kick-start a season of summer music festivals. However, while the attention of many will be on the weather, John Lewis Home Insurance is warning people to not leave their personal possessions unprotected while at these events.
John Brady, Head of Insurance and Banking at John Lewis, said: “With tightly packed crowds and thousands of people leaving valuables unsecured in tents or in pockets, festivals can be an easy target for opportunist thieves.
“Before heading off, it’s worthwhile that festival-goers take five minutes to call their home insurance provider to see what they are covered for, especially if they are planning to take some expensive items along with them such as a smart phone or expensive clothing and jewellery. “Insurers will insist that you take care of your personal belongings and keep them secure. If you are camping, a tent by its very nature may not be considered secure enough. If in doubt, keep your valuables on you at all times.
“The amount your insurer will pay out for your lost, stolen or damaged goods will vary. When you call your insurer, ask about the level of cover for ‘items away from the home’. This is the part of the policy that you will need to claim under should something go wrong. “Most policies will offer cover for your personal belongings away from home. So it’s worth checking to make sure that you have the right cover for any of the valuables you’re considering taking with you. With John Lewis Home Insurance you can also add cover for ‘items away from home’ of up to £2,500 for as little as £1.50 per month on a monthly premium.”
John Lewis Home Insurance offers the following top tips for festival-goers this summer:

• You should check the terms of your insurance policy to see how it treats instances of loss, theft and damage. Will the items you are packing in your bag be covered by the insurance?
• Don’t leave valuables unattended.
• Hide belongings in the bottom of your sleeping bag when going to sleep as some campers have woken up to find items placed under their pillow had been taken in the night.
• Ask yourself, “do I really need it”. Can you live without that designer piece of clothing for a few days? Is it worth the risk of taking it along and potentially see it go missing?