Home security :
SHORT-TERM INSURANCE
Home security :
Are we protecting our homes or our minds ?
By Werner Bosman , PPS Short-Term Insurance CEO
Security is no longer just about locks and alarms ; it is about how we perceive risk and respond to fear . In South Africa , where crime is a daily reality , homeowners make security decisions that are as much about psychological comfort as they are about actual protection . Understanding this balance is key to making smarter , more effective choices .
THE INFLUENCE OF FEAR ON SECURITY DECISIONS
The way we respond to crime is deeply influenced by psychology . Fear , amplified by relentless crime reports and social media discussions , often drives people to invest heavily in security measures . While some precautions are necessary , others may be driven more by emotion than by actual risk .
Perception of danger is shaped by what is seen and heard . Constant exposure to crime statistics and high-profile incidents can create a sense of imminent threat , leading homeowners to overestimate their personal risk . This phenomenon is known as the availability heuristic , a concept introduced by psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman in their 1973 paper Availability : A Heuristic for Judging Frequency and Probability . It describes how people assess the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind , often leading to an exaggerated sense of risk .
The media plays a powerful role in shaping perceptions of safety . While staying informed is important , overexposure to crime reports can lead to security decisions that may not always align with actual risk . Crime statistics further contribute to these heightened fears . According to the South African Police Service , there were 19 279 murders in South Africa in 2024 , averaging 70 murders per day . Additionally , between April 2023 and March 2024 , Statista reports that 5 578 women and 1 656 children were murdered . These alarming figures intensify a sense of insecurity , prompting homeowners to take precautionary measures that may be more about emotional reassurance than actual risk mitigation .
BEHAVIOURAL ECONOMICS AND SECURITY CHOICES
The field of behavioural economics offers useful insights into why certain security choices are made . One of the strongest influences is social proof . Others feel compelled to follow suit if neighbours install electric fences or CCTV cameras . The fear of being the only vulnerable household can drive people to invest in costly security measures , even when a more measured approach would suffice .
Another factor is loss aversion – the psychological tendency to fear losses more than value gains . Even if statistically unlikely , the idea of a break-in feels like a personal violation ,
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