Void insurance clause?

[Iamcazzy]

I live in a local authority council house which has recently had new double glazing fitted. The windows are up to the standard required by the local authority ( whatever that means!) and have handles on the inside.

On the handle body at the pivot point, there is a small keyhole fitted to a push button. The window can be opened by pushing the button and then turning the handle. Likewise, the button gives an audible click when the handle is turned after closing the window. The window can neither be opened or closed without pressing the button. There is definitely space behind the keyhole to fit some sort of barrel lock

I've recently been told by an independent housing advisor that my contents insurance may be effectively void as I have windows with provision for a lock but with no lock fitted. The fact that I did not install the windows and that they were fitted by the local authority is immaterial. I've been advised to check my insurance policy as the advisor warned me that he knows of cases where council tenants have checked with their insurer and have been horrified to learn that a burglary insurance claim involving such a window would be effectively void.

Does anyone know anything about this? If this is the case, how can I put pressure on my council to fit locks on the windows? I live on an estate of some 70 houses and if this is true, it means we are all in the same boat!

[Iamcazzy]

If I could just add that the housing iadvisor said that if there was no keyhole on the button, the insurance companies would pay out, everything else being equal.

[boxtops]

If I were you, I would check with your own insurance company, or look very closely at the wording in your policy document. The advisor may be right, but individual insurance companies may apply different rulings - only they will be able to confirm this to you, or otherwise.

[R1Geezer]

It wouldn't be void, they just use things like this to reduce payout.

[bednobs]

you cannot put pressure on the council to do anything - you'll just have to find an insurance policy that dosen't specify what wondow locks there should be

[Iamcazzy]

Thank you all for your replies. I was thinking that it if I asked my local crime prevention officer about this, he may be able to point out to the council the implications of not fitting locks to the windows. i wouldn't imagine such a policy would go down well with the police.

[JackDanielsU]

Where I work, there is a discount applied if you have certain locks on doors and windows...the policy is not void if these locks etc are not met. As long as the windows and door meet minimum security requirements - in other words they close properly, and are unable to be opened from the outside unless with a key (for the doors obv).

it sounds like the advisor is talking rubbish

[bushbaby_de]

I agree with what Jack said - your insurance co always asks what kind of locks you have fitted and may give a discount for certain locks. So long as you have told them you don't have any locks your policy is not void - so give them a call or look at your policy and make sure you haven't inadvertently told them you have locking windows.