Does homeowners cover theft from others?

[mrhealer]

I live outside Philadelphia, PA. One evening, while out to dinner with my boss and his family, his car was broken into and his bag and mine were stolen. He lost some papers, I lost a laptop, digital camera, cash, and train tickets; all told, around $2,000. His homeowners insurance says it only covers theft from family in PA (apparently, in some states I would be covered).

I'd accept they're ruling, but since I don't have the money to replace the items myself (and don't have homeowners insurance, which I now know is lame), I didn't want to simply accept their word for it without checking in with the legal experts here. Like so many things, it feels wrong in my guts that I'm not covered but my guts and the law are often not the same...*grins*

Thanks in advance for any advice ya'll might be able to offer.

 

[Betty]

I live outside Philadelphia, PA. One evening, while out to dinner with my boss and his family, his car was broken into and his bag and mine were stolen. He lost some papers, I lost a laptop, digital camera, cash, and train tickets; all told, around $2,000. His homeowners insurance says it only covers theft from family in PA (apparently, in some states I would be covered).

I'd accept they're ruling, but since I don't have the money to replace the items myself (and don't have homeowners insurance, which I now know is lame), I didn't want to simply accept their word for it without checking in with the legal experts here. Like so many things, it feels wrong in my guts that I'm not covered but my guts and the law are often not the same...*grins*

Thanks in advance for any advice ya'll might be able to offer.

I doubt their homeowner's ins. is going to pay for your losses. If they would, it would be in the policy provisions. However, if you would have had homeowner's ins., you could have submitted a claim through them. Sorry, but I think you're out of luck.

 

[moburkes]

Agreed. Since he didn't cause the theft, he's not responsible for it. The only thing that covers personal property is home or renters insurance.

 

[mrhealer]

That's a bummer, but not unexpected...thanks for the info.

 

[byrd42]

Personal Property

With respect to any vehicle to which the insurance coverage applies; ie theft, etc. under the Homeowners;

Coverage would apply if the person is an "insured" as defined in the policy or a person engaged in your employ or any other person under the age of 21 & in the care of any person named above "insured".

So, since you were at dinner and not being paid "employed" at the time your belongings were in his vehicle, you are NOT covered. Hence, if you were working at the time the theft occured, Personal Property other than at the "residence premises", would have been covered for theft from the vehicle under his policy for 10% of Coverage C or $1,000, which ever is greater.

This is the general, Insurance Service Office (ISO), coverage language. Definitely his Homeowners may have totally different language.