Insurance help ** urgent**

[Mochamoo]

My friend runs his own graphic design and photography company from his home. He has lots of super duper high tech camera equiptment and computers, he had all the right insurance for all of it.

Last week they were burgled whilst they were sleeping, the gits got everything all his equiptment the kids video games machines, the stereo the lot!

Well now the insurance company says as the very bottom lock on the door wasnt locked properly they have no insurance. The police think the main lock was easily picked hence lack of damage to the door itself.

Can the insurance company do this? The main lock was locked it was just a small secondary lock that wasnt properly locked.

[TUTTSI]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

I hate to say this Mocha but the Insurance companies probably can if it is a condition of the policy and because of the high level of insurable items I would believe that could be the case. Suggest he/she has a good read of the policy to see if that is a requirement of the policy.

xx

[scoobydoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

I agree that it should be specified in the policy to be valid - sometimes they speciify alarm system as well - have a look at the small print about which type of locks sre specified.

Dont give up yet as sometimes you do have to battle to get paid out. I once had a claim declined twice - but managed to get paid out in the end.

[righty]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

Was the bottom lock fitted because it was required by the insurer? If so & it wasn't locked then they do have grounds to repudiate or if the policy states that ALL locks must be secure then the same applies

However if none of the above apply then your friend must prove that they took reasonable steps to protect their property, the emphasis being what's considered reasonable which may require a court to determine

[scoobydoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

or the insurance ombudsman- or FOS who ever deals with insurance now - which should be listed in the policy.

[Mochamoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

You've confirmed what I thought, but I will get them to bring me the paperwork and I will go through it on Monday. Thanks , getting this replaced is vital to the business.

[scoobydoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

ok post up what it says about security. do you know which company it is - it may be on line?

Also if they knew it was a business within a home I would have thought there may have been specific conditions /endorsements on the policy.

To be honest no insurance claim is quick - did the they have additional specific cover for the business cash flow in the event of fire or theft as well?

Also did they ever have a visit from the insurance company or was it done through a broker or on-line?

[scoobydoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

just had a thought -was it an internal slide type bottom lock on the door- so could only have been used when they were in the house?

[Paule]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

just had a thought -was it an internal slide type bottom lock on the door- so could only have been used when they were in the house?

If you are thinking along certain lines, this may negate your thought

Last week they were burgled whilst they were sleeping,

But it there any locking division between the living area and the business area?
I know some people have to put internal security doors, in case of entry through the living area, plus its cheaper to do that then upgrade all the access points (doors, windows etc) in the living area/ house

[scoobydoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

The reason I asked about if it was a bolt type lock was that if it could only be used when they were in the house , did that mean when they were out of the house during the day then the fact that there was only the main lock as security meant that they were not insured then?

[Paule]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

The reason I asked about if it was a bolt type lock was that if it could only be used when they were in the house , did that mean when they were out of the house during the day then the fact that there was only the main lock as security meant that they were not insured then?

Good point, didnt think of it from that angle

[righty]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

We need to know the T's & C's & any additional conditions attached & if whether or not they are reasonable

[Mochamoo]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

The T&C's are being scanned and sent over. Couldnt see anything about the lock but might be hidden somewhere in teeny tiny print.


The bottom lock is just a bog standard yale.
------------------------------- merged -------------------------------

But it there any locking division between the living area and the business area?
I know some people have to put internal security doors, in case of entry through the living area, plus its cheaper to do that then upgrade all the access points (doors, windows etc) in the living area/ house

Nope, just regular house!

[Sapphire]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

Just following this thread, we work from home and have various office equipment and I'm interested in how we would stand with our insurance.

[righty]

Re: Insurance help ** urgent**

Saph depends what you mean "work from home" If you do all your business dealings through your home than you should notify your insurer who will probably increase the premiums..... & strictly speaking you should tell the local council who may asses your home or the part used for business rates