MAINTAINING A HOME

Smart home security: Is your smart home a safe home?

01 July 2019

Most Australians probably don't need to be told twice that home security is important, so why do so many still neglect it? According to a survey conducted by Suncorp, less than half of our Australian respondants said they use traditional security features like screens, bars, and double locks. That figure decreases even further when you include smart devices, with only 27% of people engaging with this type of technology for security. With that being said, they can come in very handy when it comes to keeping you, your loved ones and your belongings safe.

Despite some Australians being a little slow to adopt smart devices, they can provide a range of great benefits across different areas of home security. From providing extra safety measures for the elderly, through to giving you peace of mind while you’re holidaying on a tropical island, there’s a lot that smart devices can do for your home. And, as a bonus, they might not be as tricky to install as you think!

Smart home devices for when you're away

Even if you have a neighbour diligently emptying your mailbox and putting out your bins for you, burglars can still be pretty switched on to spot homes that are temporarily empty. Particularly around popular holiday times – like Christmas and school holidays – would-be thieves often track movement (or lack thereof) for a day or two to make sure they’re in the clear.

Smart devices can work really well to ward off burglars while you’re relaxing on the beach. In particular, smart lighting can give you full control of your light bulbs and even allow you to set up a schedule, so that it can look like people are at home even when they're not.

Smart pet devices to monitor your furry friends

As much as you’d probably love to, you can’t always be around to hang out with your pets. But if you've ever wondered what Fido and Tabby get up to when you’re at work, or worried about their wellbeing while you’re at dinner with friends, smart pet devices could give you that extra bit of assurance.

Smart devices for pets go beyond simply having cameras to check in while you’re out and about (although, they can be super helpful too). You can find products that dispense food whenever you choose, which often have camera/audio built in so that you can see and talk to your pet while you’re giving them a treat. There are also collars and trackers that keep tabs on their health and whereabouts, and even smart doors that only let your pets in, not random strays off the street.

Smart home devices for seniors

Whether your parents or grandparents are living with you, or on their own, there are plenty of affordable, easy-to-install smart home devices that can make a big impact on keeping loved ones safe. Users don’t have to be super tech-savvy to take advantage of them, either.

Smart sensors and devices placed strategically around the home can ensure that, in an emergency, elderly people can easily call for help. You can also install things like smart stove systems that automatically shut off after a certain amount of time, smart medication dispensers so days and doses aren’t mixed up, and water and leak detection devices that look out for gas, water, and other leaks.

Smart home security devices for protecting your home

There’s a lot that smart home devices can do, including help you make a more secure, safe environment for you and your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be an extensive system, either – you might be surprised by how far a couple of small changes can go.

There are plenty of individual devices available that let you monitor your home from anywhere using your phone or tablet, including indoor and outdoor security cameras, video doorbells, motion sensors, and smart locks. If your needs grow, you can easily add extra items at your own convenience.

Updating your home and contents insurance

If you do install smart home devices in your home, you may want to update your sum insured. This will ensure that the amount you're covered for to replace the contents in your home, at today's prices, is accurate.
If you're an existing Suncorp customer, you can easily update your home and contents policy online through your My Suncorp account. Simply log in, select the policy you want to update, and select 'Update policy'.
If you're not a Suncorp customer, we've got a number of home and content insurance policies to choose from, according to your needs.

Compare Suncorp's Home & Contents Insurance Policies