Burglary - Important Notice Regarding Household Contents Insurance

Hello everyone,

unfortunately, it has now happened to us as well.

During the installation of our alarm system, it was discovered that one of our flower windows can no longer be opened. At first, we assumed a defect in the window fittings. But when we looked at the window from the outside, we discovered massive pry marks on the window sash.

The police officers we notified found a total of eight (!!!) points where the intruder(s) had tried to break open our window.

We are really glad that we installed windows and doors with steel cores in the sash and frame as well as sturdy multiple mushroom head locking bolts everywhere.

The affected window is a "total loss" and needs to be completely replaced, but we definitely prefer that over someone rummaging through our entire house...

When reporting the damage to our household insurance, we also received the following information, which I do not want to withhold from you because, in my opinion, it is very important:

A break-in attempt is not covered by every household insurance policy!!!

Specifically, this means that damages to windows, doors, etc., are not covered by every household insurance when the burglar fails to penetrate secure components and does not enter the building.

Fortunately, in our household insurance, the break-in attempt is covered - so at least this story doesn’t hit us so hard financially.

Therefore, my first tip to everyone:

Please check your household insurance to see if a break-in attempt is covered with you!

My second tip is addressed to those who are still in the planning or early construction phase:

Spend a "few euros" more and equip your house with windows and doors that have a higher resistance class.

Specifically, you should consider the following security features:

- Mushroom head locking bolts

- Multiple locking points

- Steel cores in the frame and sash of doors and windows

- Outdoor lighting with motion detectors

- Alarm system

- Video surveillance

Compared to the total construction costs, a lot can be done for security in the planning phase with comparatively little financial effort.

Best regards,

Dirk

Thank you, Dirk, for this important information

Great! Thanks for this helpful contribution!!!

That is apparently similar to partial coverage. If, for example, someone bends your antenna, then that is probably vandalism and not insured. But if they break it off and throw it into the bushes, then the theft is insured.

Thanks also from me for the hint.

I just wrote an email to our insurance.

Thanks for the info, our windows are also secured with 5-fold locks with mushroom heads. Only, in my frugality, I did not lay cables for video surveillance.

While we’re at it, check if carport and garage are included in your residential building insurance. For a member of the vtr forum, the carport burned down including the car. Caused by a cable reel. The insurance does not pay due to gross negligence; even if there was no gross negligence, the carport was not insured because it was not declared. I had mine checked, as at that time I only specified the square meters. According to my insurance, the garage is included, but that is apparently not the norm.