Police broke down door - are we insured?

far2812

Hi a friend came to house sit whilst we went on holiday.

Unfortunately his brother was concerned about his mental health and couldn't get hold of him so called the police.

They then broke down the front door.

Question is - would our house insurance cover this? I don't want to call the insurance in case it goes down as a claim.

Police were right to break in as he wasn't answering the door.

HappyMJ

The insurance could cover it but if you don't call you'll never know.

Personally to avoid losing my no claims history and having higher insurance for years I'd just replace it at my own expense and upgrade it so it's more difficult to get through then I'd share a key with anyone who justifiably would care so much about me that they would call the police...instead they can just use the key.

[Deleted User]

I thought the police had to repair doors when they do this? Particularly when you are the house owners and weren't that were the cause of concerned?

Searched on google and found this http://www.quora.com/If-the-police-break-down-your-door-do-they-have-to-pay-for-it

But there are also other articles that say if they break in under S17.., where there is a cause for concern re life and limb, they can break in.; Unclear whether the police have to pay for damage though.

Its probably worth trying asking for compensation though.

TonyMMM

deannatrois wrote: »

Searched on google and found this http://www.quora.com/If-the-police-break-down-your-door-do-they-have-to-pay-for-it

That is referring to police in the USA.

The general rule in the UK is that the police will not pay for damage caused in proper execution of their legal powers - but many forces may choose to be more or less flexible on what they (or actually the taxpayer) will pay for..

In a case like this, the power to enter under s17 of PACE was correctly used, and so generally neither they (or your insurance probably) will pay for the damage. The exception would be if you can show that the damage was excessive e.g. they smashed down a large set of patio doors when they could have broken a small window to get access, or that their actions were unreasonable, for example they were told that a neighbour had a key but broke down the door anyway.

skintpaul

Did the police on scene say anything, about fixing door?

aileth

Hasn't the brother offered to reimburse you? Of course his reason for calling the police was justified, but I know if I was him it would be the first thing I'd do, offering to cover it.

tomtontom

aileth wrote: »

Hasn't the brother offered to reimburse you? Of course his reason for calling the police was justified, but I know if I was him it would be the first thing I'd do, offering to cover it.

Or the person that was house sitting and refused to answer the door to the police. Unless they were in crisis I'd be expecting them to cover the cost. If they were in crisis I'd sort it myself.

silvercar

There is an irony in getting someone to house sit and that being the cause of the damage. Had you left the property empty it would be fine!

SailorSam

When i was in my last house i was ill in bed and never heard them knocking, someone had told them she was worried 'cos she hadn't heard from me. The police broke the door down, that woke me up. The bobby said they'd pay just to get it done and bring in the receipt. Took months to get the money but they did pay up in the end.

Mrshaworth2b

If I had been house sitting and my family member rang the police over my mental health and they broke the door I would be well embarrassed and offer to pay for the door.

I suggest you pick someone else next time to watch your house