I live in a condo, the guy next door left something on the stove and went out. Smoke set off the fire alarm. Firemen look at alarm board and it reads #5#6 I'm #5 they hit my door first, a 36"x96" solid core with 3 locks... boom they shatter it then #6 the building sends a guy and a locksmith on a Sunday night to secure my door the best they could. I get the bill and they say the building insurance will not cover it. Who pays for my door and locks. I don't want to use my insurance. Roles reversed I would pay for his first and have it done in 24 hrs. But he has not said a thing. I am out of town so I had someone put a note with my email on it to contact me... but that was Sunday. I do not want the codo association on my back for a messy door and start fining me

Your neighbor may be responsible for the fire, but he is not responsible for the alarm system reporting to the first responders that your apartment was also involved, nor is he responsible for the firemen doing what they had to do in order to secure the building from the potential risk inside your apartment.

This is something that either the building or your personal insurance should cover. It's unfortunate, but that's why you bought insurance in the first place, right?

You turn it into your insurance or write a check out of your pocket ( depends on what your deductable is)

You can try taking the neighbor to small claims, which allows for you to write a statement and for him to reply to it. He might pay the bill before it goes to court. I won't guess at what the court would say, but I think he's responsible for your door and locks. Let him collect for your costs on HIS insurance.

"I get the bill and they say the building insurance will not cover it. " You mean the condo association insurance won't cover it? Argue more and if their insurance does pay it does not take away their responsibility. Many insurance claims are denied first time around just as a matter of course for some cut rate insurance companies

What did you end up doing? Exact thing just happened to me.

alexinred, I doubt that the poster will see this after 9 months.
I suggest that you pound on the virtual desks of all 3 insurers, the condo association's, yours, and the other owner's.

The insurance company would advice you on what you can do into the matter but personally I feel that no one is to be held responsible for the damage in your house and nobody is going to pay for it.

This is a legal question - I don't know why it's posted here.

And it's over a year old.

And, Coolpeter, I'm a liability investigator. You are incorrect.