I woke up, went to the garage to grab a Gatorade, and froze. The side door was shut, but my Sur-Ron was gone. There was no broken glass, no splintered wood, and the main garage door was closed. When I called my insurance adjuster, his first question wasn’t “Are you okay?” it was, “Can you show me photos of the break-in point?” Because I couldn’t prove forced entry, he labeled it a “Mysterious Disappearance” and denied my $4,500 claim.
Key Takeaways
- Forcible Entry Clause: Many policies require physical evidence (broken lock, smashed window) to pay out a theft claim.
- The “Open Door” Mistake: If you left the garage door up, even for 5 minutes, coverage is often voided under “negligence.”
- Smart Garage Logs: In 2026, your MyQ or smart opener logs are your best defense to prove the door was hacked or forced.
- High-Value Items Limits: Even if they pay, standard policies cap theft of “watercraft/trailers/motorized devices” at $1,000 or $1,500.
The “Why” (Mysterious Disappearance)
Insurers hate paying for things that just “vanish.” They assume if there is no sign of a break-in, you either sold it yourself or left the door wide open.
The clause usually reads:
“We cover theft or attempted theft, provided there is visible evidence of forcible entry.”
With modern “garage door spoofers” and flipper zeroes, thieves can open your garage without breaking anything. Old insurance policies haven’t caught up to this tech. If the lock isn’t broken, they assume it wasn’t a crime.
The Investigation: Testing the Evidence Standard
I spoke to claims specialists at three major carriers to see how they handle “clean” garage thefts.
1. Lemonade
- The Approach: highly automated.
- The Reality: The bot asks for photos of the damage. If you upload nothing, the algorithm flags it. You have to fight to get a human to explain that the garage code was hacked. It’s an uphill battle.
2. Chubb (High Net Worth)
- The Approach: “White Glove.”
- The Reality: If you pay for premium insurance, they are much more lenient. They usually accept a police report without needing to see a smashed door.
3. Liberty Mutual
- The Approach: Standard/Legacy.
- The Reality: They were strict on the sub-limit. Even if I proved theft, they pointed out the $1,500 limit on “trailers and motorized equipment” kept in the garage.
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Evidence Available | Likely Outcome |
| Smashed Window | Broken Glass | Covered (Subject to policy limits) |
| Code Hacked | Smart Home Logs | Fightable (Need tech-savvy adjuster) |
| Door Left Open | None | Denied (Negligence) |
| Unlocked Side Door | None | Denied (No Forcible Entry) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Police Report is Non-Negotiable: You must file a report that explicitly says “Burglary,” not just “Lost Property.”
- Download Garage Logs: If you have a smart opener, export the activity log. It will show “Door Opened at 3:00 AM.” This proves the door was opened by an unauthorized signal.
- Anchor Your Bikes: Even inside a locked garage, lock your e-bike to a wall anchor or concrete bolt. If they break into the garage and cut the lock, you have your “visible evidence of force” (the cut lock).
- Review Sub-Limits: Check your policy for “Theft of Motorized Vehicles from Residence.” If it’s capped at $1,000, increase it today.
FAQ
Does a camera recording count as proof?
Yes. If you have a Ring or Nest video showing a person walking in, that overrides the “no forced entry” requirement because it proves theft occurred.
My bike was in the shed, not the garage.
Check your “Other Structures” coverage. It usually carries the same exclusions. If the shed wasn’t locked, you are likely out of luck.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a MyQ app log showing “Garage Door Opened 3:14 AM”]