Important information about metal theft
Baptist Insurance have asked us to share this below message with the churches in WEBA:
Please remain vigilant to, and take all available precautions against metal theft because, theft of external metals continues to be a very real threat to churches we insure.
In early 2008 we sent a free SmartWater kit to all churches we insure to mark external metals such as lead roofing and metal guttering. Please make sure that you have used SmartWater, or a Baptist Insurance approved forensic property marker, to mark external metals and that the kit has been registered.
If you are unsure if your kit is registered please call SmartWater on 01952 204 102 and check. As well as marking metals, it is essential to prominently display signage, especially where thieves may try to access the building, to quote one of our customer “Outside is where the signs need to be. That’s the deterrent.” Displaying the signage clearly communicates to potential thieves that your church is protected.
For all renewals from 1 February 2012, we have applied a condition that you protect your external metal with a forensic property marker, such as SmartWater, display the signage and register your kit. Otherwise you will be considered as being your own insurer for 50% of the insured loss. Churches that have complied with the theft of external metals policy condition will not be affected by this change - they will continue to have external metal theft cover to existing policy limits.
The unique code in each SmartWater tells police precisely which premises stolen lead has been taken from (as long as the SmartWater has been registered to that premise). Traces of the liquid can often also be found on offenders, tying them to the scene of the crime.
Kevin Thomas FCII,MIRM
Chartered Insurer
Field Operations Manager
Direct Field Force
Direct Tel: (01202) 829377
Mobile: 07771 910 726
Email: kevin.thomas@bicmail.com