General

Why social networking could raise your home insurance premiums

Companies could hold customers liable for using location-based services on Facebook, Twitter

Another reason to become a Luddite: according to Confused.com, a price comparison service based in the U.K., the fact that Google Buzz, Facebook and Twitter can publicize users’ whereabouts could lead to a rise in home insurance premiums. “Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their information gathering, even using Google Earth and Streetview to plan their burglaries with military precision,” says company head Darren Black, who advises users to turn off location based-services on social networking sites, and to never post personal information or grant access to people they don’t know. According to Black, “Insurance providers are starting to take this into account when they are assessing claims and we may in future see insurers declining claims if they believe the customer was negligent.”

The Telegraph

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.