While it may appear to be a minor change to your property, installing a flap to allow your dog or cat to enter and exit the house could void your insurance if you fail to notify your insurer.
Unfortunately, installing a cat flap may make your back door appear less secure to insurance companies. Even if the change increases your premiums, it’s still good alerting your insurance.
Is a cat flap a security risk?
Adding a cat flap to a door weakens it quickly, but the biggest problem is that it allows intruders to reach in and grab items like keys with a tool or even a found object like a garden cane.
How high can a cat flap be?
The cat flap must be at the proper height above the floor to allow access in and out. A cat flap’s typical height is 15 cm above the ground. This is also the typical stomach height of a cat. To establish a straight line, mark the appropriate height at two spots.
Can you have a cat flap in a fire door?
You may not be concerned about building rules, but everyone is concerned about their insurance company failing to pay. A cat door or dog door in, as well as all other traditional cat flaps and Doggy Doors, are not fire doors, which means that the insurance company may not be compelled to pay in the event of a fire. FireSafe Pet Doors are the appropriate door to acquire for your home if you want to lower your risks while guaranteeing your beloved pet has unfettered access to your home.
Should I lock my cat flap at night?
Different cats will have different preferences for when they want to be outside, some preferring to be outside during the day and others preferring to go outside at night. It is ideal to provide your cat full access to the outdoors so that they can be outside when they need it or enjoy it the most. If your cat likes to go to the bathroom outside, for example, having regular access to the toilet is essential.
Many people prefer to keep their cats inside at night for fear of harming them. While some cats will adapt well to this restriction, others may find it stressful or irritating because they believe they are unable to go outside when they need to. As a result, it’s critical to assess the risks of allowing your cat to spend the night outside against the potential detrimental influence on his or her health.
Your cat will be able to establish a routine with any other cats in the neighborhood if he is permitted to go outside at any time. Instead than feeling compelled to battle over different locations, they will be able to choose who goes where and when.
If you do decide to leave the cat flap closed overnight, be sure to supply your cat with a suitable litter tray as well as mental stimulation (such as puzzle feeders and toys). If your cat is very loud at night when confined inside, or if they pace and paw or scratch at the cat flap or door to the outside, they may not be coping well and should ideally be provided free outdoor access.
As a convenient reminder, print off the information on this page as a handy advice sheet:
Will my cat be OK outside all night?
Please keep in mind that a cat should never be left alone all night. Also, make sure that cats have access to shelter during the day, whether it’s a kennel or a shed.
Is it illegal not to have house insurance?
It is legal to own a home without having homeowners insurance. Those that have a financial stake in your property, such as a mortgage or a home equity loan, will almost always demand it to be insured.
Are conservatories covered by home insurance?
Existing conservatories are usually covered by ordinary home contents and buildings insurance, as long as they are a permanent structure with proper construction. Most insurance companies will consider such a structure to be a part of the building itself, thus the cost of your conservatory will be covered under any building’s insurance policy. If the conservatory is secure (with proper locks and window glazing), any home contents claims related to burglary should be unaffected. Car ports are usually covered by most insurers if they are correctly constructed.