Stolen Keys / Insurance?

[Engine09]

The girlfriend had her bag stolen on Wednesday. Wallet, cash, credit cards, keys, all ID, cell phone, etc. Right off her desk at work.

She's in a building a few blocks from the drop in center and it was my hunch that one of those scumbags just wanders the office buildings around the area looking for stuff to steal. A few hours later someone answers her cell phone, says they just found it, at the drop in center. The guy says he'll leave it there to get picked up, he lies.

Anyways, her room mate called the management company of their apartment and reports the stolen keys w/ ID. They want to charge her $900 - $1200 to get 4 locks changed, with keys.

Will condo-owners insurance cover this?

I'm asking here because her and the room mate are all stressed out, I don't want to bother them with details. But some info would be useful.

Thanks

[ken0042]

I seem to recall something in my homeowners insurance about re-doing locks.

Her management company should look into some sort of proxy card system, so if a front door key is stolen they don't have to issue new secure keys to 50 people, they can just disable the proxy card.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

Anyways, her room mate called the management company of their apartment and reports the stolen keys w/ ID. They want to charge her $900 - $1200 to get 4 locks changed, with keys.

Why do they need to get 4 locks changed? The only one she should need to change is the lock to her individual unit. The main door lock and parking garage lock aren't her responsibility, regardless of whether or not losing the keys was her fault (and it sounds like it wasn't).

Maybe the condo management company shouldn't have been informed as to the extent of which keys were lost... they may be trying to replace their front door/parking garage keys at her expense, which sounds bogus to me.

[Engine09]

Just found out that there is no insurance, none.

My girlfriend is really upset about this. On top losing cash, credit cards, expensive cell phone, mp3 player, and a lot of other items that will be expensive to replace, now the apartment is trying to stick her with $1000 for new locks and keys.

I've already changed the deadbolt and doorknob locks on her apartment, less than $30 at Home Depot for the set.

Totally wasn't her fault, she was robbed. Her room mate shouldn't have even mentioned it to the propety management company, but she did.

I guess that's what I need to find out for sure, can the property manager force her to pay for the main locks on the front, back and side building doors?

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

I guess that's what I need to find out for sure, can the property manager force her to pay for the main locks on the front, back and side building doors?

I'm just a layman, but demands for her to pay for ANY locks except her own unit's sound bogus. Thats what condo fees are for, to pay for things that everyone in the condo uses... like the locks.

Just because her keys were stolen does not mean she's on the hook to replace ANY locks. Its just a smart idea to replace the one to her unit.

[ken0042]

Just to clarify- does she own a condo herself, is she renting a regular apartment, or is she renting a place from one of the condo owners? (If those distinctions make sense.)

I ask because there should be something in the condo by-laws or lease if it's the first two. If it's the last one odds are the person she rents from may not have put it on the lease.

Also, how many units are in the building? It's just I find it hard to believe that out of let's say 30 units, it has never happened before that somebody lost a key.

[Engine09]

Thanks for the input guys.

She pays rent to her roommate. The apartment/condo is owned by the roommate's parents. 37 units in the building, nice place that is in great shape.

I guess this case is a bit different, since it wasn't a lost key on it's own. The keys were stolen along with a wallet that possibly contains the address.

[ken0042]

So I suppose they are penalizing her telling the truth. Next time somebody should just lie and say the keys were simply lost.

I'd still check the condo by-laws to see if there's anything there saying what charges there are for lost keys. The last place I rented was a condo and the condo bylaws covered everything; including how much TP I should be using.

[Engine09]

So I suppose they are penalizing her telling the truth. Next time somebody should just lie and say the keys were simply lost.

Exactly, the roommate shouldn't have even mentioned it. They cut another key for the main door, I change the apartment locks, done.

Do you mean general condo by-laws? Or should the roommate's parents check their agreement specific to that building?


Does anyone here have a friend in property management?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

Or should the roommate's parents check their agreement specific to that building?

Yep, that's what I would do. My old place had specific penalties for failing to shovel your walk, or putting garbage out too early, or pretty much anything else. If it doesn't list something for lost keys, I don't think they can just make up charges as they go along.

[jimmy11]

I work in the insurance industry, and despite what many people think insurance is not all the same. When it comes to Condo coverage, there is a huge degree of policies, which is why it is so important to read the coverages, not just the yearly premium you'll be paying. Basic condo coverage is meant to cover your contents, additions and alterations and not much else (in short, everything from the studs in). Some high end insurance companies will extend that coverege to key loss or theft, while many will not.

It really sucks about your girl friend, though.