Hi everyone I have recently had my house burgled (well yesterday) and need some help with the following query.

I have a tenant/lodger that rents a room from me she is a solicitor working in the courts and her laptop got taken also amongst other items when we were both at work yesterday.

I have contacted the police who have sent various people round to dust for prints etc, someone had broken it via the front door using a crowbar or something not quite sure.

Anyways I rang the insurance company to inform them, and they have told me that my insurance maybe invalid as I have a lodger and did not inform them of this, I had not idea that I was suppose too as I got my insurance over the phone and they never stipulated or asked at the time.

The underwriter will get back to me in 5 days with a decision, this is driving me mad at a very stressful time and i was just wondering where i stand and if they are legally allowed to do this?

any help would be really appreciated.

It depends what the T&Cs of your insurance agreement states. Have you read through them?

just trying to hunt for them now!...

its more of a general question i guess, they customer rep said there was something in the T&C to that effect, it really took me by surprise...just wondering if its common practice for home insurance providers to not cover stolen items because of this.

This will be contained in the eligibility criteria for the policy. They will ask a question as to whether the home is occupied by proposer and family for private residential purposes only and in the policy it will mention that you must inform them immediately if this changes. So you would have to tell them about the lodger.

Most Insurers will allow one lodger but some will not accept any. This is not written into the eligibility criteria or policy. You have to tell them about the lodger and they tell you whether it is acceptable or not.

If the Insurers accept your inadvertent non disclosure, as long as there were visable signs of forced entry or exit from the property, they will deal with your claim. They won't cover the lodgerds possessions, as lodgers have to arrange their own separate cover elsewhere.

Thanks all for you replies, ill await the decision and let you know how i get on.

Have a great weekend!