dog flap - does it void house insurance?

pmcx9

i am insured with HOMEPROTECT which is a subsidiary of Heath Lambert. My house was burgled on Saturday and there is no obvious signs of entry. I have a midsize dogflap in my kitchen door.
Whilst speaking to the loss adjuster today he seemed overly interested in the dog flap and after the conversation finished I had the distinct feeling my insurer may have found a loophole with which to avoid compensating me. He is going to contact me again on Wednesday.

I cannot find a copy of terms and conditions of my policy. Would any MSE'r be able to advise if I have a potential problem in getting compensation?

mattymoo

I suspect the loss adjuster and insurer would be hard pressed to find a clause in the policy that relates to dog flaps. Check your schedule under "Security Condition" or security clause to be sure.

pmcx9

thanks mattymoo, i cant find my schedule unfortunately. i have been looking around the internet for a generic one for heath lambert but no luck so far.

pmcx9

i have since found this which i believe is a near identical schedule to heath lambert as nhi is a subsidiary

https://www.webmoney.co.uk/Homeapp/policywording.pdf

it doesnt mention dog flaps.

mattymoo

Had a look at that. You really do need to find your schedule to see if the theft limitation clause on page 53 of the PDF is applicable. If it is you are likely to have problems because there was no Forcible and Violent entry.

F&V entry is a cornerstone of theft claims. Forcible covers everything from picking locks, forcing doors, breaking windows etc. Violent covers the threat or use of violence against the householder.
It does however exclude the use of keys to enter the property (unless the keys were stolen) and simply walking in through an unlocked door.

F&V entry clause only appears to apply to your policy if the property is let / sublet or the Theft Limitation Clause mentioned above is applicable.

Andy_L

When you say "midsized" dogflap how big are we talking. If a slightly built crim could crawl through it or reach through enough to unlock the door then yes, it might well invalidate yur insyrance.

pmcx9

thanks for your input guys. some good news of sorts.

the loss adjuster rang and has instructed a company called svs to source me a replacement laptop, meaning the dog flap is not a problem!

However the excess on my first claimed item is £200. Who is the biggest thief.....the burglar or the insurer?!!!??

mattymoo

But surely you were told what the excess was and therefore agreed to it when you took the policy out?

Mrs_pbradley936

Where was the dog when this was going on?

roswell

but a new laptop will cost you more than £200 so dont see the problem the alternantive is dont claim but buy a new laptop for more than the excess ... its worth the £200 really.

pmcx9

dog was at my dads.

the reference to the insurer being a big thief was made tongue in cheek.