Insurance claim for my watch!

LionKing

Hi,

I left my watch on a ledge in the wash area in a public swimming pool. Didn't realise till later that day i had left it behind. Upon return to swimming pool it looks as if someone has treated themselves to it!

I have looked through my house poicy and luckily i am insured for personal items HOWEVER the policy says it does not cover loss caused by mistakes.

Will this be viewed as a mistake as i did forget the watch on ledge...which was then subsequently stolen.

Any advice much appreciated....watch was an expensive present for birthday :-(

maclean2

Hi - I'm not quite sure what part of the policy you are reading but if all insurance policies excluded mistakes then they would not have to pay anything.After all if you leave a tap running and this brings down a ceiling that was caused by your mistake in not turning off the tap.If you forget to put on your handbrake when parking and the car runs away hitting another one that's a mistake.I could go on but I won't.

Accidentally leaving a watch or jewellery in the way you did is one of the most common types of insurance claim and I trust you will get paid out without any bother.

As it appears to have been stolen you may have to report it to the Police.

marble

I think there is a difference between a mistake (accidental damage) and negligence (leaving your watch where someone can steal it - negligence is the term insurers use ... I'm not being nasty!).

I believe many insurance policies will only cover lost item if the insured hasn't been negligent (that is, it was stolen from a locked room and there is evidence of break-in, or the were mugged). The important thing is to report it to the police and then check with the insurance company.

Don't get too worried ... every policy covers different things and there is a probability that you are covered for things like this ... chat to the insurance company but DO report it to the police (and obvious things like check it hasn't been handed in by a kind soul at the pool).

Al