Should I lie about my mobile being stolen?

Question

I lost my mobile 3 or 4 weeks ago but my crappy insurance, which I pay £7 per month for, only covers theft. Should I just phone up the police and get a crime number (fairly easy I've been told) or would I get caught?

Please no moral responsibility type answers, I'm a moral person but shouldn't have to shell out again when my mobile firm's insurers is taking my money.

Answer 1

how do you know when you lost it ,it was not stolen afterwards
i could just report it stolen good luck

Answer 2

You should bear in mind that insurers share information when dealing with claims, and if you are caught making a fraudulent claim this time, this wll work against you in future. The first thing the insurer will ask is why it took you a month to notify the police of the theft and that's where you claim will start to fall apart.

Additionally, please remember that some of the people who use Answers are in the insurance business and are here because they want to help people with their insurance problems, but conversely, you really need to be careful wat you say as insurance fraud cannot be encouraged!

To be constructive, if you bought the insurance policy knowing it only pays for theft, then really there is little you can do. I do understand your point about paying for insurance, but if you were told up front what cover you were getting then you have to live with it. If however, you can show that you bought the policy without first knowing exactly what you were paying for, then you should contact the company that sold it to you and lodge a formal complaint. You don't have to do it in writing, you can do it by phone or email, but you will need to be able to evidence your issue. As an example if you did the deal over the phone, there is a good chance they will have recorded the call and there are fairly smple ways that calls can be traced for dispute resolution purposes.

Answer 3

If you were a moral person, you wouldn't be asking this question. You already know the right answer. Whether you do the right thing or not is completely up to you.

You probably won't get caught, but insurance fraud is a felony, by the way. People like you that lie to get money from insurance companies fraudulently are part of the reason insurance is so high already.

Answer 4

You shouldn't lie, just buy another phone on eBay. And don't even pay for insurance again. Instead, you should put they money you would pay on insurance in a glass jar each month. And if you should lose it or get it stolen, just use the money you've saved and buy another one. The problem with insurance many wireless providers have, is you still have to pay a deductible if you file a claim, so it's best just to put the money you spend on insurance aside each month.

Answer 5

Your insurer is covering you against theft, not against you being a dolt and losing your phone. Given the thrust of your question the monthly premium for that type of insurance would be much more than the phone is worth.

You're obviously not a moral person, nor a very bright one, or you wouldn't be asking this question. The answer to your question is no.

Answer 6

If you feel it would be worth it to lie - remember you need to inform the police for your crime reference number. But is the risk worth taking as opposed to the gain? The insurance claim you will have will also be available to your household insurance, all insurance. Does your home insurance cover this? AS it could be worth cancelling your mobile insurance for home contents insurance that has extended section to cover personal belongs away from the home! Ps no such thing as loss in the insurance world at home.

Answer 7

"Please no moral responsibility type answers, I'm a moral person but shouldn't have to shell out again when my mobile firm's insurers is taking my money."

You question indicates you are anything but a moral person. First you state you should get something you didn't pay for (mysterious disappearance coverage), and now you want to commit a crime and are looking for counsel?

Answer 8

As tempting a thought as it is, if you get busted, it'll be bigger problems for you than being out some money. Filing a false police report is a crime, which sometimes carries jail time, and having a criminal conviction will follow you forever. (Meaning it will show up if you get a traffic ticket, or apply for a job, or pretty much everything else in life.)

So, while you're weighing your options - consider that as well.

Answer 9

Sorry, but your integrity is one of the few things someone can't take from you. The insurance you pay for doesn't cover loss, and it is a crime to make a false police report.

Answer 10

I used to have a lot of sympathy for insurance companies before I learnt about other peoples experiences. They really are deceptive with their small print and hidden clauses. They moan when disaster strikes and put up premiums, but never refer to the previous ten years of making big money. To be honest, I do not consider them straight with us, however we are always expected to be honest with them.
I have always been honest and never made a false claim.
What I can tell you is that they will pay up your claim and it will remain on file for many years, causing you problems when trouble really strikes. Don't stoop to their level. Be honest.

Answer 11

of course they havent been taking the money to cover loss, so you have to question the logic of that last statement.

to get it stolen you either have to

a- have been mugged - a little harder to fake to the satisfaction of the police.

or b - have left it unattended - the insurance isnt going to pay out for negligence.

so you could be screwed either way.