Simple theft outside the home. In simple terms.

Simple theft outside the home is when a personal item is stolen from you outside your home. For example, your laptop which you leave unattended on the table in a café, or your suitcase which you leave in the luggage rack around the corner on the train. Another defining factor in simple theft is that no violence is used.

This means that the theft takes place without anything being broken into and without any threats to you. In many cases you only realise later that something has been stolen.

Unlike simple theft, both burglary and robbery involve the use of violence – either a room is broken into or an object is forcibly stolen.

• An example of burglary: A burglar pries open your balcony door and steals jewellery and monetary assets from your flat.
• An example of robbery: You are threatened in the street and your bag is forcibly ripped out of your hand. 
• An example of simple theft: You get caught up in a crowd at the train station and suddenly your mobile phone is gone.

In most cases, simple theft outside the home is not automatically included in your household contents insurance. However, you can include the add-on and cover theft outside your own four walls as well – either directly when taking out your household contents insurance or at a later point.

If you are unsure whether you have already taken out this additional cover or whether you would like to change your insurance, simply contact your adviser.

This supplementary insurance covers personal belongings that you carry with you or temporarily put down while out and about against theft – for example on your way to work, during your leisure time or on holiday. The insurance generally covers movable items from your household contents. These include:

• Mobile phones and tablets
• Laptops 
• Cameras and photography equipment 
• Reading glasses and sunglasses 
• Luggage such as suitcases, bags and rucksacks 
• Sports equipment such as skis and snowboards 
• Bicycles and e-bikes 

With the add-on, these objects are covered against simple theft outside the home in Switzerland and abroad. A word of caution, however: the maximum sum insured per claim is often limited and, depending on the insurance policy, you may have a deductible.

If you would like to insure your valuables not only at home but also while you are out and about, it makes sense to add additional cover for simple theft outside the home to your Allianz household contents insurance.

With us, you can assemble your cover completely individually and choose between different deductible levels and sums insured – up to a maximum of CHF 20,000.

For more valuable objects that require special cover, it is also worth taking out our single-item insurance. Our advisers will be happy to help you so that you have optimum cover while you are out and about.

Even with the best insurance, you still need to take good care of your valuables while you are out and about. Many cases of theft can be prevented by taking simple measures.

Practical tips for while you are out and about:

• Do not leave valuables unattended – even for a short time. 
• When in crowds, make sure that bags and rucksacks are closed and keep them near to your body. 
• Stow electronic devices discreetly on public transport. 
• Always lock up your bicycle and, if possible, leave it in a well-frequented location. 
• When travelling, divide your valuables between several pieces of luggage. 
• Keep an eye on your personal belongings in cafés and bars and on the beach. 

Taking care not only means that your items are less likely to get stolen; it is also important for insurance cover. People who knowingly leave items uncovered or take unnecessary risks run the risk of the insurance payout being reduced or even refused altogether in the event of a claim.