Would buildings insurance cover a replacement door?

LI83

Hey everyone,

My sister's kid accidentally snapped the patio door key off in the lock last night, she's had a locksmith out today in the hopes of fixing it, but he's told her that the lock barrel can't be repaired or replaced because they don't make that particular barrel style/size anymore. It's a metal frame sliding door that's been in place since the house was built in the 90's, never had any problems with it before this key snapped off, but the locksmith is adamant it can't be repaired/locked again.

My sister is losing her mind now because the door leads into her home, so if it can't be locked her home is unsafe. There's absolutely no way she can afford to get the door replaced herself, she lost her job in late 2020 and has no savings at all now, and is barely making enough to pay the mortgage and put food on the table while job hunting. She couldn't even use credit to pay for a replacement because she's maxed out and her credit is terrible, none of the family can help financially either.

I've told her to claim on her home insurance, but she's scared to even mention it to them, because if they won't pay to replace the door, then her home can't be secured and it will likely invalidate her home insurance, causing her even more problems.

I've read through her policy documents and T&C's that are available online, and it makes mention that it will repair/replace glass in sliding patio doors, but there's no other mention of replacing any type of doors at all under the buildings insurance. Although, I'd assume these insurance companies must offer this kind of cover on exterior facing doors, since burglaries and accidents can completely destroy doors which need to be replaced, but she's too scared to ask...

So, I thought I'd put a message here and see if anyone thinks it may be possible, or likely, that home insurance would cover the cost of replacing a door that cannot be repaired due to age, but has only become an issue through accidental damage?

Any advice/insight would be helpful, thanks!

csgohan4

Do they have accidental damage cover? If not, maybe get a second opinion from another lock smith or photos on here

generally dont call the insurer if you don't have a chance of claiming, as it will be logged as a claim even if you don't claim and may affect your future premiums and declarable. 

Neil49

I'd start by doing my own research on the lock and possible replacements on the Internet. 

If you can remove it yourself (now that you've hopefully seen what the locksmith did) get some measurements and then look on sites such as Screwfix or even ebay. You may even find video guides on YouTube. 

As mentioned above, a photo on here may be useful. 

theoretica

The locksmith did confirm the lock actually needs changing?  There is no hope for wheedling the broken bit of key out and it still working with a bit of oil? 

theoretica

Also - if she needs to have the door fastened securely by another means I would expect it is possible - just as windows can be secured even if they were made without locks - for instance something screwed in behind it to stop it sliding might be a rapid stopgap.

TELLIT01

We fitted secondary locks to our aluminium sliding patio doors.  The lock was fitted to the frame and only required a hole to be drilled into the sliding part for the bolt to push into.  Something similar to this.  https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-patio-door-lock-white/7056p

spaniel101

I realize its of no help what-so-ever for your current situation, sincere apologies, but for future reference for anyone, we had HomeServe cover (albeit the top cover, No4 I think it is) and the same thing happened to us with a 25 year old patio door.   HomeServe replaced the entire patio door FOC in the end, in fact twice, as I wasn't happy with it the first time so had them do it again.   The whole lot had to come out twice, bricks and all for new one to be installed.  Worth knowing for future ref.

Sandtree

If Home insurance will cover it will depend if its deemed to be accidental damage (breaking the key) or if its wear and tear (ie the lock itself has died and the key snapped as a consequence). The former would be covered if they have added AD cover and the later wouldnt be (though there may be some cover if they have a Home Emergency policy/section).

Has she had a quote for replacement? Does she know her excess?

The risk is that she puts in a claim, they decline it as wear and tear but she then still has to declare the declined claim for the next 3-5 years