house insurance help! we was robbed!

[atjjj]

Hi

I was the victim of a bulgular recently, We actually interrupted the bloke in the middle of the night!, we came downstairs because of the dogwas fussing and the front door was wide open, later saw on cctv he had just left!

he got a few things first though inc our digital camera and jewelry etc , police reckon he was after car keys as he had gone through everything bags, pockets etc.

 

Anyway there's no obvious signs of entry, a few small marks on door unsure if caused by him, the downstairs windows were all shut and only the rooms we were occupying had windows partially open (on child catches restrictors), but the insurance man who came today says they may not pay out as my front door was only shut with the normal lock and not with the mortice lock (i lock this when i go out but we were in the house!), i tend not to lock it when we go to bed as the kids cant open it , its so stiff and worry incase of fire etc.

 

Surely as we were in the house they cant do this.......are we expected to keep doors double locked when inside, i just cant get my head round i, how do i challenge this, we don't even know that was his way in for sure....although it was defiantly how he left.

 

thoughts and advice please

 

thanks

[unclebulgaria67]

but the insurance man who came today says they may not pay out as my front door was only shut with the normal lock and not with the mortice lock (i lock this when i go out but we were in the house!), i tend not to lock it when we go to bed as the kids cant open it , its so stiff and worry incase of fire etc.

 

Surely as we were in the house they cant do this.......are we expected to keep doors double locked when inside, i just cant get my head round i, how do i challenge this, we don't even know that was his way in for sure....although it was defiantly how he left.

 

thoughts and advice please

 

thanks

 

Depends on whether there is an endorsement or conditions applied to your policy requiring the mortice lock to be used when you have retired for the night or the house is left unoccupied. If there is such a condition applied to your Insurance they won't pay out. If there is no such condition, then you should be ok. So get checking all your documents.

 

You really need to now think about getting your security upgraded. Speak to a local locksmith/security installation company to get advice and a quote to upgrade the security. If the door could be replaced with one offering better security, that might be an option. Don't wait too long before you upgrade it, as it not unknown for a repeat burglary to happen soon after the last attempt. The local Police might also have a crime prevention team who can advise you. There may be things you can do outside of your house that would help with security. e.g. security light with PIR.