Home insurance - leaving windows open while house is unoccupied

NewFolder

Asking this because a neighbour noticed that I'd left my window open while I'd gone out a few days ago, and said that if a burglar managed to get in through it, I wouldn't be able to claim on my home insurance for it.

I've read my policy booklet, and I can't find anything that relates to leaving windows open, or even locking doors for that matter, while the house is unoccupied.

So what exactly would happen if I were to go out, leaving a few (not ground level) windows open, and a burglar decided to take the opportunity to gain entry to the house through the open window and steal a few things? Would the insurer not pay out at all, ask for a higher excess to be paid, or not pay out the full value of the items stolen? Or would they just pay out the full amount anyway?

FlameCloud

Unless you have a theft/locks/alarm endorsement it shouldn't make a difference normally.

olly300

Depends on the insurer.

Some insurers specifically state that they won't pay out if the burglar didn't break into the property.

This means if you are in asleep upstairs and they came through an open downstairs window they won't pay out, and if you are out and left an upstairs window open they won't pay out.

Kids and some adults - which you may be surprised by - can squeeze through small upstairs bathroom windows and downstairs windows.

It doesn't matter if it's not near a drain pipe or you don't have a ladder outside as they can come in pairs or groups so can give the person entering a leg up.

And yes as you guessed it I did go through such small windows when I was a child due to keys being locked in. And as I've met some small adults I guess they can do the same.

Yorkie1

My insurance documents clearly state that windows must be locked shut with locks if I'm not in, so I think it does depend on insurer / policy.

Just_Some_Guy

It depends on what your small print says. Mine only covers burglaries through unlocked windows if that window is normally only accessible with a ladder.

dunstonh

High risk areas often have extra clauses over standard class areas. These are always defined in print.

Also, if you take on discounts for having locks, alarms etc then you must use those when you are not in the building. i.e. window locks being the possible one here.

forgotmyname

Someone mentioned this recently. Their new policy said foreced entry.

So an open window would be no cover if that was the entry point.

What does your policy say?

YoungBusinessman

Its kind of a common sense thing for it to valid for a claim, the burgular has to have forced entry, an opened window is the same as a wide open front door, it voids your claim. If you do leave it open and get robbed, when you get home simply smash the window that was open and claim it was the way they forced entry. Also have a word with your neighbour and tell them to worry about their own windows and let you worry about yours.

Mojisola

YoungBusinessman wrote: »

Also have a word with your neighbour and tell them to worry about their own windows and let you worry about yours.

Nice sentiments! If you do that, you're likely to find that your neighbour doesn't pick up the phone and call the police when he sees someone breaking into your house or damaging your car or even do small things like taking in parcels for you.

YoungBusinessman

Mojisola wrote: »

Nice sentiments! If you do that, you're likely to find that your neighbour doesn't pick up the phone and call the police when he sees someone breaking into your house or damaging your car or even do small things like taking in parcels for you.

Or the nicer version of what i said, smile and go along with what they say then carry on as you please after all its your house at risk, not theirs.

gayleanne

Yorkie1 wrote: »

My insurance documents clearly state that windows must be locked shut with locks if I'm not in, so I think it does depend on insurer / policy.

Mine does as well.