“Where are your things safer than in a bank safe?” It says in an online advertisement. “With a bank safe from Bank Austria you are on the safe side,” it continues.
The branch of Bank Austria in Klosterneuburg is one of the three banks in Lower Austria whose sleepers were emptied by a gang of criminals in mid-November, the ON news reported.
Some questions arise for those who are not affected. Is the bank liable for the damage? Does it make sense to additionally insure the contents of a safe? If so, how can I prove what was actually in the locker?
In principle, the bank is not liable. Sleepers are usually insured. The sum insured at the domestic banks is only between 3,000 and 4,000 euros. Anyone who has jewelry or gold in the bank safe will probably not be able to make do with this sum insured.
However, the bank is liable if the safe has “serious security deficiencies”. That is exactly what Peter Kolba, chairman of the consumer protection association, sees as given. With a collection campaign he wants to support damaged customers in enforcing claims for damages.
According to the police, a technique with magnetic stripes was used to access the said discreet room. That is grossly negligent and not state of the art, so Kolba. That is why he sees the banks as liable.
At Bank Austria, ON request said: “Bank Austria will agree a solution directly with the affected customers on questions of liability and the values to be replaced.”
An additional insurance is sensible and also affordable. You can take out a corresponding policy online from O. Versicherung, but only for the cooperation partners Hypo O and VKB-Bank. With a sum insured of 100,000 euros, the annual premium is 60 euros.
There was a slight increase in inquiries, says Siegfried Starl, head of property / casualty at O. Versicherung. It is important to document exactly what is in the locker with such an insurance. In any case, there should be a precise list, and invoices or photos are ideal if jewelry is included.
Article by
Hermann Neumller
Economy editor
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