The surge in pet ownership is posing a potential risk to home insurance policies, as the popularity of large dog flaps increases the risk of burglary. Experts have issued a warning about this growing concern.
Prior to the pandemic, there were already nine million pet dogs in Britain. However, by 2022, this number had risen to 13 million as people, seeking companionship during lockdown, purchased record numbers of puppies.
The demand for dog flaps has also experienced a simultaneous boost. John Carolan, owner of retailer Pet Flaps UK, has witnessed a significant increase in interest, stating that their sales doubled after lockdown measures were eased.
Nevertheless, insurance companies are cautioning that installing a large pet flap without notifying your insurer could result in costly consequences.
David Fowkes, head of household underwriting at Admiral Insurance, explains, “Most insurers have a clause that requires customers to take preventative measures. Having a large pet flap in your door could potentially increase the risk of burglary.
“If you install a pet flap that’s large enough for a human to enter, it is advisable to inform your insurer beforehand to avoid any potential impacts on your coverage.”
Pet flaps come in various sizes. The smallest ones, measuring 6″x7″, are suitable for breeds like Chihuahuas and Yorkies. On the other hand, owners of Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes would need the largest flaps on the market, measuring 12″x23″.
Georgia Day, a senior insight analyst at Consumer Intelligence, notes that insurance policies rarely mention the possibility of a dog flap invalidating coverage. However, these openings pose a security risk.
Day adds, “Maintaining a secure home is a fundamental requirement of all home insurance policies.
“There is an expectation for common sense to prevail. Installing a dog flap that is large enough for someone to crawl through can render your home insecure, akin to leaving a door or window wide open.
“With the increase in dog ownership, insurers should consider bringing attention to this matter to prevent potential harm to consumers.
“Nevertheless, the responsibility ultimately lies with customers to secure their homes and maintain the validity of their insurance policies.”
Even burglaries involving entry through smaller cat flaps can result in insurance companies rejecting claims, regardless of whether the flap had been disclosed beforehand.
An example is a homeowner who had a claim denied by esure Insurance after his house was burgled. The thief had reached through the cat flap to access a key left in the indoor keyhole. The insurance company argued that the opening enabled the burglar to enter the property without the use of force.
However, the decision was later overturned by the Financial Ombudsman.
Experts propose one solution to this issue: installing a “smart flap” that only opens for your pet. These flaps respond to a signal emitted from a tag on your pet’s collar, opening like a portcullis and automatically locking behind them.
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