Theft at client's house

[ElliD]

I am posting this here on behalf of a family member, who owns a cleaning business. A client has returned from holiday abroad and said the cleaner that had visited the property stole an item of the value of £2.000 (a watch) which was apparently kept in a box in the kitchen. The cleaners working for my relative are all background checked and in the 15 years this specific cleaner worked for my relative there has never been one issue like this.

The client has reported this to the police, we were given a crime reference number and the investigating officer details. My relative went to the police station with the cleaner as they weren't sure on what happens next and the police were shocked the client keeps asking for my relative's insurance details so he can claim off it for the item. It's a public liability insurance.

My question is, what happens now? It's the client's word against the cleaner's so i am guessing both parties will have to wait until the outcome of the investigation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[des8]

Well for a start the client cannot claim off your relative's public liability policy.
The client would have to hold your relative liable for the loss, and your relative could (if he wished) inform his insurers and make a claim.
There is no need for your relative to divulge the details of his insurance to the client.
This insurance is not required by law, but following Brink’s Global Services Inc and Others v Igrox Ltd 2010 employers in your relatives line of business are well advised to ensure their PL policy covers the risk of vicarious liability.

I suspect the matter will go no further than an investigation by the police.
If the client has no proof of theft and if the police find no evidence, any claim against your relative will receive short shrift
If the cleaner is found guilty of the theft (unlikely IMO as there would seem to be no evidence) recovery could be taken against the cleaner.
This could lead to a claim against your relative, which should be dealt with by his insurers.

However your relative's PL insurer should be informed of the incident asap.

Must ask if it is known why the client doesn't claim against his own contents insurance?