Theft And Burglary Insurance

Overview

A shopkeeper in Kano padlocks her store, goes home, and returns at dawn to a forced door and empty shelves. A trader two streets away simply turns his back and a stranger walks out with an unpaid phone. Both have lost goods to a thief, yet only one of them will be paid by a standard burglary policy. The difference is not luck. It is a single legal test that every claim under this class of business must pass.

This lesson shows you exactly what a theft and burglary policy covers, the precise line insurers draw between burglary and ordinary theft, the property that is protected and the property that is quietly left out, and the security precautions the insurer insists on before it will carry the risk. You will work through the calculations and the yes or no judgements that WAEC sets on this topic, and learn where candidates throw marks away.

Objectives

  1. Explain the cover provided by a theft and burglary policy
  2. Distinguish theft from burglary and explain why the distinction matters to a claim
  3. Identify the properties covered and the usual exclusions
  4. Describe the precautions an insurer requires of the insured under this class of business

Lesson Note

Every shop, warehouse, office and home in Nigeria holds property that a thief would like to carry off, and burglary is one of the losses ordinary people insure against most readily. Yet more claims are declined on this class than on almost any other, and nearly always for the same reason: the insured assumed the policy pays for any stolen item, when in truth it pays only for a particular kind of stealing. Learn where that line falls and you can predict, before the loss adjuster arrives, whether a claim will be met or refused.

Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Theft And Burglary Insurance. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. In insurance, the feature that distinguishes burglary from simple theft is: A. The value of the property stolen B. Forcible and violent entry to or exit from the premises C. The time of day the loss occurs D. Whether the police are informed Answer: B
  2. Which loss would a standard theft and burglary policy normally NOT pay? A. Goods taken after thieves broke a padlock and forced the door B. A customer walking out of an open shop with an unpaid item C. Stock removed after a window was smashed at night D. Property taken after burglars forced their way out through the roof Answer: B
  3. Which item is usually EXCLUDED from a standard burglary policy unless it is specially declared? A. Office furniture B. Trading stock C. Cash and jewellery D. Shop fittings Answer: C
  4. A policy condition requiring the insured to keep a burglar alarm in working order is best described as a: A. Warranty B. Premium C. Franchise D. Proximate cause Answer: A
  5. Stock worth 5,000,000 naira is insured for 4,000,000 naira under a burglary policy subject to average. Burglars steal goods worth 1,000,000 naira. How much will the insurer pay? A. 1,000,000 naira B. 800,000 naira C. 750,000 naira D. 500,000 naira Answer: B