Do you post about everything you do on social media? If so, there could be consequences. Quite apart from notorious issues such as your boss not seeing the funny side of your antics, your social media posts could also damage any insurance claim you have to make on your home.

You home insurance will almost certainly contain a Reasonable Care clause, which allows your insurer’s Loss Adjuster to turn down your claim if your negligence has contributed to the situation. For instance, if you went out leaving your door wide open and came back to find your possessions gone, the likelihood is that you’d get nothing.

Lately, however, insurance companies have begun applying the clause to burglaries that happen while the owners are away on holiday. They’ll search through your social media, and if they find posts about what a great time you’re having in Florida or Thailand, they’ll refuse your claim.

Why is Social Media a Problem?

It isn’t just insurers and suspicious employers who check up on social media. Increasingly, police forces all over the country are warning that tech-savvy burglars are using Facebook, Twitter and the rest as part of their research. Your innocent post about what a great time you’re having on holiday is a big, flashing sign to the burglars — “This house is empty.”

Of course, if you have robust security at home, it might be enough to keep them out, but not necessarily. Burglars who are up to date enough to use social media are likely to also be pretty good on the latest anti-security measures.

If you are burgled after effectively advertising that your home is available, your insurance claim isn’t going to get a sympathetic hearing from the Loss Adjuster. So play it safe, and wait till you’re safely home before you share all those great holiday memories. Then, if despite everything you do get burgled while you’re away, Allied Claims will have a good chance of getting you the compensation you’re entitled to.