To think he should knock.......

I accept we should lock up Nelliemoser. A friend came in from pegging out the washing, and found her tv, radio, toaster, kettle etc all gone. She'd left the front door unlocked. She doesn't live in our area - but I agree, I'm a bit complacent. Will shape up

Also as I mentioned earlier, if you have left the doors unlocked you cannot claim on your contents insurance.

Likewise with the car. Even on our drive, if we leave the car unlocked and it is stolen the insurance policy is null and void.

No-one can see my house from the road. I always lock the door even if I am only away for five minutes.

I'm a bit confused now. Are you saying, Anya, that an insurance company won't pay out if an opportunist thief sneaks into our house while we're in and steals stuff, if one of our outer doors was unlocked?

In other words, unless we lock ourselves into our homes at all times our contents insurance is worthless..?

This is my first day as a forum member so if I break any unwritten rules apologies in advance.
I grew up in a huge family/village environment and its perfectly normal to walk in and out of each others doors, anybody who wants to feel an extra security just gives out keys.
The rule is if an outer door is open or ajar frrl free to come right in. If its shut, knock first. If its locked, we're up to something that's nobody else's business so only knock in a genuine emergency...
That said, I see your husband's point. In-laws are given full family rights so if that's the current status carry on as normal. If he weed all over that gesture then he gets downgraded to a knocker. If you're maintain good terms for the family harmony you and husband should consult the rest of the family.
It took me years to convince my son in law to just walk in, he causes mild worry insisting on knocking. Good luck.

Their 'Terms and Conditions' vary from company to company Ana but they do all mention taking reasonable care and most are very specific about locking all windows and doors and removing the keys from the locks, when you are out.
It would not be considered taking 'reasonable care' to leave your from door unlocked so anyone can just walk in. It doesn't seem to matter that you just popped into the back garden to hang out the washing.
I had this conversation with the young man who went through the main points of my house contents insurance with me when I recently renewed it with a new company.

My Terms and Conditions lists under exclusions
"Theft not involving forcible and violent entry to, or exit from, your home".

Welcome menet.

Oh dear, I think I'd better have a look at my policy too! And DD's back door is always open when she's at home because her girls are in and out, plus their friends and the odd neighbour...

Presumably if she was upstairs changing the beds, the girls had disappeared off next door and a thief walked in and nipped off with the tv and computer she wouldn't be able to claim...

A friend of mine who works for a well know large housebuilder always tells new owners to lock their front doors when in the house. They hear reports from all over the country of optimist thieves who try front door handles, pop in and grab either your car keys or handbag. These are new houses built in the street style with little or no front garden so easy to just go down the road trying door handles as you pretend to deliver leaflets.

I believe it's normal for insurance companies to reject claims if entry hasn't been forced. This also applies to unlocked cars and bikes.

DH worked in the insurance industry and insists that the front door and high side gate are always locked so the house and garden are secure and we're covered.

When saddles were stolen from a shared tack room a few years ago we had to produce the cut padlock for police inspection so the insurance would pay out. We were lucky in that the padlock was borderline as regards size. Too smaller one and there would have been no payout.

Oh, and sorry menet - Welcome!