Connected homes
Can technology and connected devices turn your house into a smart home?
What is a connected home?
Could you imagine running your home from your phone? How we go about our day-to-day activities at home is on the cusp of change, thanks to smart technology and home automation.
From smart meters that monitor your energy usage, to door sensors that let you know via an app the comings and goings at your property, smart technology is here and it’s seeping into our homes. This smart and extensive technology makes up a ‘connected home’.
Technology has advanced to the point where many of our standard electrical devices are emerging as ‘smart devices’, such as smart televisions or smart thermostats. These devices can all be connected with each other, and are usually controlled by your phone.
Added security and comfort are two of the major selling points of kitting out a home with smart devices and automated technology; the extent of a connected home can vary, however it’s safe to say smart technology is becoming a lot more accessible in recent years with off-the-shelf purchases such as the Ring doorbell.
We have the Internet of Things (IoT) to thank for this, connecting the latest technology with each other through the power of a wireless network.
Within our report we’re looking to explore the capabilities of smart devices and connected homes, the impact this technology could have on home and contents insurance, and most excitingly, what the future holds for this expanding digital space
“Smart technology is here and it's seeping into our homes”Jamie Siminoff, Founder of Ring

We surveyed the nation and found...
of Brits have heard of a connected home
of Brits say they have heard a lot about connected homes
of Brits own a Smart TV
of Brits have a Smart Meter
Inside a smart home
Click or tap on the blue icons for information on each smart device.

Smart homes and home insurance
The cost of protecting your home
From the heyday of cumbersome CCTV units to discreet and modern home security monitors, the speed of smart device development has meant that consumers now have more choice when it comes to protecting their home at an affordable price – but what effect does this have on the cost of home insurance?
Many traditional home insurers have struggled to keep up with the fast pace of technology change within the industry, often referred to as ‘Insuretech’, and have yet to link smart device ownership with home insurance underwriting.
A study by InsuranceNexus of 300 home insurance professionals found that almost 60% of insurers agreed that the adoption of IoT in the industry was a long term goal, but was not foreseeable for at least another 5 years. Only 3.4% said they were already embracing IoT.
But while the vast majority of insurers are yet to fully test the waters with connected homes, there are providers that are adopting IoT nice and early.
Smart insurer Neos is using technology to help detect faults and security risks early, through 24/7 device monitoring, so policyholders reduce their likelihood of making a home insurance claim. Rather than insuring for the worst case scenario, Neos adopt a prevention and cure approach.

Disrupting the home insurance model
Damage caused by leaks can have wide ranging consequences, from damaging floors and carpets to leaving you out of your home for months on-end until your home is fully repaired.
‘Escape of water’ can be one of the most expensive home insurance claims. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates that during cold weather a claim could be in excess of £7,000 along with a host of additional consequences, including discomfort and being out of your home for a prolonged period. Over £2.5million is paid out in home insurance claims every year, according to the ABI. [AS2]
One way that Neos has challenged this is through the incorporation of devices packaged alongside an insurance policy. Neos’ leak detection device aims to prevent the damage happening in the first place, with a push notification system through your app that alerts you to any irregularities. By spotting and fixing a problem in the early stages, homeowners and renters reduce the need to make a claim.
By spotting and fixing a problem in the early stages, homeowners and renters reduce the need to make a claim. In turn, this is likely to lead to reduced future premiums and preservation of your no-claims discount.
“There are two ways whereby households could make a saving on home insurance. Firstly, smart device ownership can decrease loss ratios for insurers by 25%, as devices which monitor water loss, leaks and fire diminish and mitigate the need to make a claim. Insurers can then, in theory, pass down these savings to households. Secondly, as insurers learn more about their policyholders, they’ll be able to pass on savings at the point of renewal, therefore reducing the need to switch.” Paul Merrey, insurance partner at KPMG.
MoneySuperMarket data shows that the cost of home insurance increases significantly for those who have made more claims. While the initial costs of investing in smart devices can be expensive, the long term benefit lies in the extra security and assurance that your home is protected and you’ll be less likely to have to make a claim and fork out for a more expensive home insurance policy in future.
How making a claim impacts your home insurance premium
How home insurance industry could change in the future
With technology acting as a catalyst for change within the insurance industry, the way we buy insurance in the future could look very different from how it’s done today.
“As many homes become more connected, home insurance will adapt. Policies will continue to change to meet changing consumer needs and technological changes in how we live our lives. For example, policies can now cover loss of downloaded music.
Insurers are also already using technology to improve customer service. This includes text alerts warning of possible impending bad weather such as flooding, advice as well as utilising all forms of social media.”
Malcolm Tarling, spokesperson, ABI
If you could choose a smart invention for your home, what would it be?
of Brits would buy a smart device if they could see a reduction in their home insurance price
of Brits plan to own a smart device by the end of 2018
Cyber security & hacking
Could my smart home be hacked?
Cyber security is becoming ever more prevalent as we step further into a digital age – and rightly so. The amount of sensitive data stored on the World Wide Web is ever-growing, and alongside it, a new wave of crime. So with smart home technology in our sights, could this ultimately jeopardise our safety? Could our homes get hacked?
Laura Duncan, Senior Cyber Security Manager at Price WaterHouse Cooper (PwC), explains how you don’t have to be a tech expert to ensure your cyber presence is protected:
“It’s basic housekeeping - and getting the basics right is important, for both consumers and organisations. When buying a smart product, do some online research first to see it has been hacked before, make sure your password is strong and your network secure”
Most of us with a computer are more than aware that they can be hacked, spammed, and riddled with viruses if we’re not careful, and these same threats could hit a smart home’s connected devices.
You wouldn’t leave the house without locking your doors and closing the windows, and protecting your smart home entails that same level of precaution and vigilance.
Protecting your connected network
The network router acts as the first line of defence for keeping your systems safe. Make sure this is properly configured, your passwords are strong and encryption is up to date.
“Some attempts to infiltrate a home rely, quite simply, on the homeowner using their intelligence and staying alert to threats, notably those that use phishing and other forms of social engineering to acquire user data.Ben McCabe, Tech Journalist, Andrew Lucas London
An example of this might be an email with a link asking the user to update your details. If malicious, this could take them to a fake website where their credentials are harvested and then used against them.”
Top tips for protecting your smart devices



By Laura Duncan, Senior Cyber Security Manager at PwC
Change your default password of your Wi-Fi and smart device.
Keep the device updated and don’t ignore system updates, these can make sure you’re always protected with the latest software.
Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) which is also known as network discovery. Having this eliminates the hassle of figuring out how to configure devices the first time they’re connected, but it can also make it easier for hackers to get on to your network.
Be vigilant and seek out assistance from the provider if you have concerns. There will always be a risk.
Smart security for your home
A property with a home security system is five times less likely to be burgled than one without.* Home security systems have been around for years, but with recent digital advancements, there’s some new players on the field – and best of all, they don’t all cost an arm and a leg.
Both Ring and Google Nest provide affordable security solutions for keeping an eye on your home, from your phone. Both offer 24/7 live streaming, and alert you should something appear awry.
Hive door and window sensors notify you if you’ve left a window open or there’s movement in your home. So if you want to keep an eye on what time your children are arriving home while you’re out, or generally keep tabs on the comings and goings of your
home, these sensors can provide just that.
Smart home providers also offer more elaborate systems to protect your home, such as automated lighting to come on while you’re away, to even installing panic-rooms.
*Based on Police Crime Prevention data from Police.uk
“While a conventional burglar alarm will help to deter intruders, a smart home security system goes even further by keeping you informed with real-time notifications about threats such as break-ins, fire, flooding and even carbon monoxide levels.”Krystian Zajac, Founder & Chairman of Andrew Lucas London.

Ring security doorbell and cameras

Nest security cameras

Hive door and window sensors
The top concerns of Brits surveyed were…
of Brits don’t feel deterred from buying a smart device despite news reports on cyber attacks
Future of smart homes
Any speculation about the future of smart homes is purely that – but we can see the direction of travel, so wanted to have some fun by imagining what the future of smart home technology is going to look like.
The Internet of Things is projected to hit 25-30 billion devices worldwide by the early 2020s. This influx of smart home devices, could ultimately store and distribute data that will be fed into a grid. So we won’t just be seeing the expansion of smart homes, but smart cities, too.
Where does the future lead us?
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* According to consumer research carried out on behalf of MoneySuperMarket, between 7th to 11th July 2017, with a sample comprised of 2,005 nationally representative UK adults, 18 years old +.