Home insurance and lock boxes

Migsy999

Hi

I’ve just had a break in at home as thieves have opened a lockbox with a crowbar or similar. Now I know some home insurance is sketchy on these things, but I’ve just been through my whole policy with a fine tooth comb and there isn’t even a mention of a lockbox or anything of that nature when it comes to a claim. Of course in my opinion it’s still violent entry.

But as there’s no fine print about a lockbox do my insurance company have a leg to stand on legally IF they refuse to pay out?

I’m not saying they will refuse but we all know they’ll use any excuse not to.

But if it’s not even mentioned in any document anywhere I don’t see how they can legally say it’s a way of refusing the claim?

Anyone had similar experience?

Only family members knew code and it’s obviously been violently opened.

Police will say same thing on the report.

user1977

Migsy999 said:

we all know they’ll use any excuse not to.

They don't. Seriously. If it's covered by your policy then you're covered.

flaneurs_lobster

Why would they refuse to pay out because you had stuff in a lock box? No different to having your stuff in the sock drawer like everyone else.

Do know someone with some valuable bits whose policy does insist on a safe to a particular BSnnn but that's all set out in their policy document.

k12479

flaneurs_lobster said:

Why would they refuse to pay out because you had stuff in a lock box? No different to having your stuff in the sock drawer like everyone else.

I believe the OP is referring to a small key box, mounted on the exterior of the house, opened with a combination lock, as is common with Airbnbs and the like. Very different to valuables hidden in the sock draw.

flaneurs_lobster

k12479 said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

Why would they refuse to pay out because you had stuff in a lock box? No different to having your stuff in the sock drawer like everyone else.

I believe the OP is referring to a small key box, mounted on the exterior of the house, opened with a combination lock, as is common with Airbnbs and the like. Very different to valuables hidden in the sock draw.

Oh sorry, my mistake. I was thinking of something like a cash box not, as you say, those external key box things.

dunstonh

It is policy specific.  So, wihout you naming the provider and policy type, nobody can really say.

Most home insurance policies require visible evidence of "forced and violent" entry to the premises (the house itself) for a burglary claim to be valid. This typically means signs like a smashed window, a broken door, or a damaged lock on the house entry point.  Some insurers may consider breaking into a lockbox as forced entry, while others will not.  Many insurers will only cover claims related to key safes if the lockbox is a police-approved model.

Migsy999

Yes it’s an external lock box like an Airbnb type. 

There’s nothing in the policy mentioning this whatsoever so I don’t know how they can legally refuse the claim. 

They broke into it and opened the house door obviously without breaking in. 

IMO this is still a violent entry. 

There’s no mention of a box or anything on the policy so regardless they should not have any legal way of copping out. 

The box was behind a gate in the rear of house so not exactly advertised. 

As far as I’m concerned it’s as good as breaking a window. 

This isn’t to say once the police report is in, I’ll have any problems. I just wanted a legal definition if there is no mention of this thing. It wouldn’t stand up in court if the policy mentions zero about a box. 

And I’ve read every little detail. It’s forced entry whichever way you look at it. 

For the record it’s insured under an empty house insurance as my father died recently. That’s all proper and above board. The key was left in a box in case we needed a tradesmen or something to visit as all the family live hundreds of miles from the house. 

I will fight this if there’s any refusal as there’s nothing in there to say I can’t use a lockbox whether it’s an approved one or not. It’s in a rural area so it could’ve been a titanium safe and they wouldn’t have any problems with noise or neighbours bothering them. 

TELLIT01

The only way to get an answer is to speak to the insurer.  Only then should you concern yourself about what to do if they refuse the claim.  First question would be their basis for refusal in the event that it goes that way.