Fire Department broke into my rental unit. (Chicago: renters, insurance)

[LyNX31]

Ok looking for some help here.

There was a smell of gas and someone in the 11 unit condo in River West called the FD. My renters were not home at the time and the firemen had to do a forced entry, in turn damaging my rental unit lock, frame, and door.

Who is responsible in covering the damages? I don't think it would be the FD as they were just doing their due diligence in preventing a catastrophe. I tried asking my association, and they said it's my responsibility. Would this be covered under a Master association policy or my own policy. I believe doors are a limited common element. In the voicemail my building manager left me, he said it's best I cover the expenses on my own. He said the association's policy could cover it but it would fall under my ledger anyways so it's not worth it due to the delays that could occur..?

I do have insurance for the rental unit, but my deductible is 1k anyways so if I have to fix it, I think it would be cheaper not using them.
Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you in advance!!

I know this is just a general Chicago forum but if anyone can direct me to a forum that might be more helpful, I'm all ears..

[glass_of_merlot]

Did the people in the unit leave the gas on? Was it their mistake?

[chet everett]

Regardless of the financial ability to get any insurer to cover some of the costs, the facts are that the OP, as a landlord, has a responsibility to their tenants to make repairs so the unit is secure. The smart way to do is to get a qualified contractor to make the repairs and then document everything. Assuming this is a fire-rated entrance door and associated commercial-style frame/ threshold the repairs might be more than your deductible -- the portion of the work that involves repairs to the "limited common element" very well might not be worth troubling the Association's insurance carrier with but your homeowner's policy might re-imburse you for amounts beyond deductible. I assume your agent has proper coverage for landlord type condo; give them a call and ask for details -- the better agents will have experience in this sort of thing.