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Breakin while house alarm was off

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  • 22-08-2011 12:22am
    #1
    Thoie
    Registered Users Posts: 6,344 ✭✭✭


    Just wondering if anyone's had any experience with claiming for a break-in on house insurance when the alarm was off?

    Basically, if your house insurance mentions that you have an alarm, but it wasn't on at the time of the break-in, will the insurance company pay out?


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    #2
    unclebill98
    Registered Users Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭unclebill98


    Varies from company to company.

    Best to read your policy or call them directly.


  • Options
    #3
    Otis Driftwood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,925 ✭✭✭Otis Driftwood


    If you received a discount for having the alarm then not having it switched on during the break in it may well negate your claim.

    If you didnt receive any alarm discount you are sound.


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    #4
    Toots
    Administrators, Business & Finance Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,920 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Toots


    Also AFAIK it depends on what sort of house alarm you have. Most insurance companies only give discounts for monitored alarm systems like eircom phonewatch or the like. If it's just one of those boxes on the wall that makes a noise then in their view it's the same as not having one.

    I just had a look at my policy document there now and it says in the case of a monitored alarm discount being applied, the alarm must be switched on at all times when the dwelling is unoccupied. I'd say ring your insurance company and confirm exactly what the conditions of the policy are.


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    #5
    altor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,702 ✭✭✭✭altor


    The best people to answer your question is your insurance company. I have seen some refuse to pay if the alarm was off and your claiming the alarm discount. A monitored or non monitored alarm will get a discount. Monitored will get a bigger discount. If the alarm was installed to the EN50131 standards then it needs to be services every year to be up to the standard your claiming it to be. If not some will also refuse your claim.

    www.altor.ie



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    #6
    Marcanthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 450 ✭✭Marcanthony


    if you were unfortunate enough to suffer a break in and the alarm was found to be faulty or not turned on while the house was unoccupied your policy may be void .You get a small deduction for having an alarm. However I personally would not state I have a working alarm at the property. Pay the little extra and have piece of mind.( I have often forgot to turn on the alarm when going out) and if I had a break in after paying the premium. I would want to be reinbursed for losses and would not take the risk of not been insured or my claim been disputed by the provider.

    Read the TandC of the policy.


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