Protecting yourself from a possible burglary is not an easy task and the various protection devices sold on the market are not enough. Fortunately, insurance companies offer different options that may be right for you and help protect you from the consequences of this type of break-in. What are the possibilities available to you? Answers.
Home insurance is a membership contract. This means that the insurance company offers you an offer and it is up to you to decide whether it is suitable for you or not. Therefore, before signing your home insurance, it is advisable to study the clauses carefully and check if they are sufficiently covering. To protect yourself against burglaries, you must therefore ensure that the appropriate guarantees are included.
Most home contracts include a theft guarantee, which makes it possible to be reimbursed for the consequences of this disaster, from the reconstitution of stolen goods to that of administrative documents. Although the theft and burglary guarantee is included, this does not mean that you will be covered in all circumstances. This guarantee is subject to conditions that you will be more or less able to negotiate with your insurer. You must therefore be vigilant when analyzing insurance offers to avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim.
In order for your coverage to protect you properly, there are a few points on which you must be vigilant. You should know that not all goods are covered by the theft guarantee. This is particularly the case for garden furniture, the protection of which comes under a completely different guarantee. Goods that are stored in outbuildings, cellars or garages that do not have direct access to the accommodation are also excluded from the guarantee. On the other hand, not all break-ins will be covered by home insurance either. The conditions under which the goods were stolen are taken into account when claiming compensation. A break-in usually has to take place.
If you left a window open in your absence, the compensation will not take place. Similarly, if the theft was committed by a family member or a person residing in the household, the insurer will not compensate. But what about when the keys have been stolen and the burglary has occurred without a break-in? Depending on the insurers, the answers will be different. Most companies will advise their policyholders to immediately replace locks in the event of theft. They will also have to report the loss to the police. Pay attention to the uninhabited clause, as it is capable of interrupting the coverage of the theft guarantee if the house remains uninhabited for too long.
Home contracts that include theft coverage often provide for obligations for the insured. The latter will in particular be required to ensure that his house is secure. The insurer is likely to require some type of closing point depending on the value of the home. In addition, the lessor will also be required to install a security system such as an alarm or a remote monitoring system. If the insured does not respect his obligations, this will imply a loss of cover. Penalties vary by insurance company. Some halve the amount of compensation while others will only compensate customers up to 20% of the value of the stolen goods.
