[redwitch]

I know of one instance where two gentlemen were best friends since first grade. One was a snowbird, the other a frog. Of course, the frog was happy to watch over his friend’s house and did so for several years. One year, the frog checked the house and did not turn the water off after checking (may never have done so, who knows?). The frog then went on a vacation. Came back, checked his friend’s, the toilet tank had sprung a leak, caused about $15,000 damage. The snowbird’s insurance company paid the claim, then went to the frog and said, “Pay up. You were responsible for taking care of the home. You were negligent.” Sadly, that ended the friendship.

The issue with others having a key when you hire a home watch company is that if there is some damage to the home, it is difficult to prove who was responsible for the damage — the one with the extra key, the home watch, an act of nature. Home watch could have checked the house on Monday. On Tuesday, neighbor went in to store some stuff in the fridge for a party. On Wednesday, neighbor got the food but didn’t shut the door tightly, let alone lock it. On Thursday, there was severe wind and rain storm. The door blew open and there was water damage. Party truly responsible — the neighbor. Proving that the neighbor was even in the house is nigh impossible, so home watch blamed and home watch insurance covers damage, less deductible. Ergo, insurance companies that insure for this type of service refuse to cover homes where it is known others have key.

Hope this answers some of your questions.