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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT P

An Optometrist’s Guide to Protection from Burglary

Aviva Canada (Aviva): Aviva is pleased to be the property insurer for the CAO program and is committed to delivering
peace of mind by making sure optometrists have the insurance they need should the unexpected happen. Learn more at
www.avivacanada.com.

BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd (BMS Group): BMS Group is the official and exclusive broker for the CAO
insurance program. Headquartered in Ottawa, the BMS team of industry experts provides unparalleled risk management
and brokerage services while offering a comprehensive range of insurance products and resources to more than 250,000
healthcare professionals across 50+ Canadian associations. Learn more at www.bmsgroup.com/canada.

ou work hard to build and maintain your business. That’s why it’s important to ensure you’re protected from
all potential losses – including burglary.

Since introducing optional business insurance to the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) insurance program
in 2015, over 75% of all property claims have involved burglary or theft. According to Derrick Roberts, Senior Casualty
Specialist with Aviva Canada, optometrist businesses are at risk, particularly for burglary of portable equipment and
stock. “We see a lot of incidents where the burglar will go after high-end frames and sunglasses“, says Roberts. “Generally,
they are looking for designer products that are easy to carry and easy to sell.”

Losses associated with burglary claims can be fairly significant, ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of
thousands of dollars worth of property being stolen. With this in mind, a robust risk management plan is a major
consideration for optometry business owners.

RISK MANAGEMENT

There are many options to consider when designing a burglary prevention plan because every business has
unique requirements based on its location, size, and internal layout. Use this information as a guideline as you
review the security requirements of your premises to determine the right burglary protection plan for you.

1) EXTERNAL PROTECTION MEASURES
Think of the outside of your premises as your first line of defence against forced entry as you consider the necessary

measures required to protect your property from intruders.

Doors
• Install exterior doors constructed from external grade materials based on local building code and
manufacturer guidelines;

• Ensure exterior doors and frames are in good condition, fitted, reinforced and well secured to the building
structure;

• Consider improving security by fixing a secondary panel, steel bars, grilles, 3M security film, or mesh across
external doors, particularly over glass sections or thinner panels;

• Review your door locks and padlocks and consult a locksmith to determine the security levels required by
door type, for example, a single cylinder deadbolt should be fitted on timber doors;

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