Contents insurance claim,?

Question

I recently decorated my front room and moved the television into the kitchen onto my old kitchen table, The table leg broke with the weight dropped the tv and smashed the front screen, i rang my insurance company and they put me to a representitive, as he was too busy to deal with my claim he put me off for 3 days, in the meantime as i have pets in the house ( Labrador Retriever ) i was concerned of leaving it in the house so i took it to my yard and left it outside, When the rep rang back he told me due to the fact that i took the t.v outside i was unable to make a claim, Is there anything i can do or should just forget about it?

Answer 1

Strictly speaking it's a general principle of insurance law that you should do all you can to mitigate your loss and the insurers may be claiming that by putting the TV outside you worsened its condition. However if it was already b******d beyond repair anyway I think you've got good grounds for challenging their rejection of your claim. Threaten them with the insurance ombudsman if you don't get any satisfaction. It's standard practice for insurance companies to deny claims wherever they can so don't be put off by a first refusal.

Answer 2

Contents coverage is usually named peril. That means ... no coverage unless the peril is specifically named.

Named perils are: fire or Lighting
windstorm or hail

Riot or Civil Commotion

Aircraft

Vehicles

Smoke

Vandalism or Malicious Mischief

Theft

Falling Objects

Weight of Ice, Snow or Sleet

Accidental Discharge or Overflow of Water/Steam

Sudden and Accidental Tearing Apart, Cracking, Burning or Bulging

Freezing

Sudden and Accidental Damage from Artifically Generated Electrical Current

Volcanic eruption

The only one that may apply to this situation is: Falling Objects. That section of the polilcy states: This peril does not include loss to property contained in a building unless the roof or an outside wall of the building is first damaged by a falling object. That means...If a tree branch fell through the roof and landed on the tv - then the tv would be covered.

The peril for Sudden and Accidental Tearing Apart, Cracking, Burning or Bulging has to do with the failure of a steam or hot water system, air conditioning or automatic fire protective sprinkler system.

The fact you put the items outside has nothing to do with it not being covered. The table leg broke - most likely b/c it was old, defective or the tv weighed too much. The policy excluded wear and tear. That situation does not fit any of the named perils for contents coverage. There just is no coverage for this type of loss.

You can make all the phone calls you want or write all the letters you want - it will not make a difference. There is no coverage for the loss b/c it does not fall under one of the named perils.

Answer 3

I wouldn't think this situation would be considered a valid claim to start with. As there was no "peril" that caused the loss, such as fire, wind, rain, theft, or vandalism. Usually there is no coverage for normal wear & tear or breakage. That would be like dusting and dropping a vase, not covered. Or spilling koolaid on an expensive oriental rug, not covered. I think the claim representative or your agent should have taken the time to explain this and what exactly is covered under your policy. But then again if your insured with that lizard, what can one expect. I am very sorry for your loss but I think your out of luck.

Answer 4

The fact that you took the TV outside does not, as a general rule, invalidate the claim. You should simply ask them to a) reconsider and b) explain to you which section or sub-section of the policy gives them the right to refuse your claim. Irrespective of what reason they give for refusing just keep writing to them telling them you don't agree with their interpretation of the terms of the policy. There is a reasonable chance that if they see that you are not giving up they will pay out. If not follow the advice you have been given by others on who to appeal to after your insurance company.

Answer 5

With any insurance claim the insurer must consider the damage of limitations.....If you had left the broken TV in the house it could have caused a further claim as to vets bills if the animals had been injured....A visitor could have hurt themselves on the article.....So as long as you kept the item for their inspection there should not be a problem.....Go higher up the ladder you have paid your premium and have the right to claim....It would be different if you had disposed of the item but you haven't..........

Answer 6

Go higher up as far as getting help goes. Talk to the CEO of your insurance company if you have to and explain everything including why you felt the need to take the tv outside.

Answer 7

And which direct insurance company was this?

Tell them to **** off and that you will be putting in a formal complaint in that they are not treating you fairly.

If that doesn't work put in the complain - the FOS will undoubtadly rule in your favour and it will cost the insurance company an additional £350.00 fee.

Answer 8

contact the FSA for futher advise, I really can't see why moving the TV oustside would invalidate your claim - did they say why this was so ?

http://www.fsa.gov.uk