Insurer Ecclesiastical has canvassed 250 high net worth individuals and found that 77% were more concerned about crime and 74% were more concerned about their family’s safety than ever before. It found more than half (54%) said they had experienced an increase in crime during the past year. The carrier said concerns over crime and family safety were changing behaviours.

Almost every insured who experience crime (96%) had made changes to safeguard their homes. This included increasing their sums insured limits (44%), hiring additional security (43%), commissioning a review of the security in place (33%) and changing their own routines (32%).

Sarah Willoughby, art and private client business director at Ecclesiastical, said: “With ongoing economic instability and continuing cost-of-living crisis, those who have more to lose are becoming a greater target for criminals.

“Our latest research shows more than half of high-net-worth individuals were victims of a crime in the past year and three quarters are more concerned about crime today than last year.

“Brokers play an important role in helping high net worth clients understand the risks they are facing and in ensuring they have the right cover and protection in place. We hope our guidance will help brokers speak to their clients about how they can best protect themselves.”