Insurance refusing to pay out...

rossobianchi

Hi there. Bit of a nightmare this...

Basically, my sister's house was robbed at the weekend while she was asleep upstairs with her fianc!. The b*stards took everything of value - new LCD TV, PS3, Wii, laptop, console games, DVDs, home entertainment system, jewellery, handbag with cash and cards inside, and to top it off they took the car too - a brand new Vauxhall Corsa.

Now, I don't know all the information but basically the insurance company have said they doubt they will be able to pay out because the house burglar alarm wasn't switched on. The reason it wasn't on was because my sister has two cats that would trigger the alarm system, whilst in all honesty she only really sets the alarm when the house is empty during work hours and the cats are outside.

Considering that information, can anyone tell me if my sister has a leg to stand on here? The burglary ordeal was tough enough without this...

System

im no expert but im assuming the insurance price took the alarm into account so not using it would invalidate her claim.

dunstonh

If your sister has claimed an alarm discount and the alarm was not activated then what normally happens is that the claim is reduced by a percantage. It is not normally refused.

The reason it wasn't on was because my sister has two cats that would trigger the alarm system

That is a weak response that wont wash. Alarm systems can take pets and pet movement into account.

woodys_wonders

Unfortunately they could be correct, you need to check if it was a condition of the policy that they had an operational alarm in place. Also if they did take a discount for the alarm they would have made it a condition, you need to check the exact policy wording.

The-Bear_2

dunstonh wrote: »

If your sister has claimed an alarm discount and the alarm was not activated then what normally happens is that the claim is reduced by a percantage. It is not normally refused.

You could also be subject to a higher excess as well, have a look at the security endorsement on the policy relating to the alarm

lisyloo

Generally people need to be aware if they take a discount e.g. car in garage, alarm etc, then they need to make sure they use that ALWAYS.

I pointed this out to my husband when he left a motorcycle outside our garage last night (not through laziness but because there were 2 cars in the way and I was going out later).

Personally I don't take an alarm discount on my house insurance because I know that if I forget then a claim might not be paid and the discounts tend to be small.

So as a general point, think twice before taking these discounts.
If you know that you always set your alarm or always use your security device then that might be ok for you, but if you have a tendancy to not use it sometimes or forget then simply don't take the discount.

Maisie

A condition of our home insurance is that all lockable windows/doors except the rooms slept in are locked at night.

It pays to read your policy

I_luv_cats

sorry to hear plight

My policy says Your intruder alarm (or such parts of your intruder alarm as may be agreed by us) must be set before you or your domestic employees retire for the night.

A double check on your sisters endorsements is required

dacouch

If you could let us know which Insurer you are with we can read the policy and advise you more accurately