I noticed it when I went to pour a Macallan 25. The fill level was low, and the color was… off. I tasted it. Weak tea and cheap blended scotch. Someone had been drinking my collection and refilling the bottles to hide the theft. My stomach sank when I realized the only people with access were my cleaning crew.
Key Takeaways
- “Voluntary Parting” Exclusion: Many policies exclude theft if you voluntarily gave the thief access to the property (like giving a housekeeper a key).
- Police Report is Non-Negotiable: You cannot just fire them and file a claim. Insurers require a filed police report to trigger the “Theft” clause.
- Inventory Logs are Evidence: If you don’t have a “before” photo or inventory log proving the bottle was full/authentic, it’s your word against theirs.
- Background Checks Matter: High-value carriers (Chubb/AIG) often require you to perform background checks on domestic staff for coverage to apply.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Entrustment” Exclusion. Standard policies often say that if you entrust your property to someone (staff, movers, friends), and they steal it, it is a civil dispute, not an insurance claim.
However, specialized High-Net-Worth policies usually do cover “Employee Dishonesty” or “Theft by Domestic Staff,” but limits apply.
The Investigation (I Called Them)
I asked agents specifically about “Inside Jobs.”
Hiscox (Specialty Lines)
Hiscox specializes in high-value homes with staff.
- My Analysis: They offer explicit “Domestic Staff” coverage. They cover the theft, but they demand you prosecute. You can’t just “hush it up” to avoid scandal.
Allstate / State Farm
- My Analysis: The agent told me this would likely be denied under “Voluntary Parting” unless there was clear evidence of a break-in (forced entry). If they used a key, it’s a nightmare to claim.
Vault (High Net Worth)
- My Analysis: Very strong on this. They treat it as theft, plain and simple. They even offer coverage for the cost of changing locks and reprogramming security systems after staff theft.
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Standard Home Policy | High-Value Policy (Vault/Chubb) |
| Forced Entry Theft | Covered | Covered |
| Theft by Staff (with key) | Likely Denied (Entrustment) | Covered (Employee Dishonesty) |
| “Refilled” Bottles (Adulteration) | Denied (Hard to prove) | Covered (With lab proof) |
| Requirement | Police Report | Police Report + Background Check |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- File a Police Report Immediately: Do not warn the staff. Call the police. Get the case number. Without this, your claim is dead.
- Preserve the “Fake” Liquid: Do not pour out the tea/cheap scotch. The adjuster may want to test the specific gravity or alcohol content to prove it isn’t the Macallan 25.
- Audit the Rest: If they drank one, they drank others. Check seals on all high-value bottles.
- [IMAGE: Photo of a refractometer being used to test the alcohol level of a suspect whiskey]
- Review Your “Domestic Staff” Endorsement: Check if your policy has a sub-limit for employee theft (often capped at $5k or $10k).
FAQ
How do I prove the bottle was refilled?
Use a refractometer (measures alcohol/sugar). If the Macallan 25 is supposed to be 43% ABV and the liquid in the bottle is 12% ABV (tea water), you have scientific proof of adulteration.
Can I claim the cost of the background check service?
No, that’s a preventative cost.
What if it was a guest at a party?
That is standard theft. If you invited them, it’s still theft, but “mysterious disappearance” coverage helps here if you didn’t see them take it.