Money Moral Dilemma: Do you charge house guests for breakages?

JimmyTheWig

pennystretcher wrote: »

Are you serious? Would you choose your friends on the basis of the things they own or would you value friendship over monetary matters?

No, I think that's my whole point. If someone has expensive stuff then they should expect to replace it themselves if their friend (who can't afford expensive stuff) breaks it.

rev_henry

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

No, I think that's my whole point. If someone has expensive stuff then they should expect to replace it themselves if their friend (who can't afford expensive stuff) breaks it.

Regardless of whether it's expensive stuff or not, the person has chosen to use his own money on an expensive TV, which he no longer can use. So of course the friends should pay for a replacement. Its the principal of the whole thing, which is the same regardless of how expensive the thing is.

But I would still agree that if the friends were not so well off, or the person was, then they should come to some other arrangement, but the friend should still offer to pay on principal.

On another note, is it really appropriate for a 6 year old to play with a hard cricket ball at all, inside or outside?

smcodd

If your friends have their own contents insurance this wouldn't be a problem. Most people don't realise that included within this insurance is Personal Liability cover which would cover you and your family for accidental loss of/or damage to property anywhere in the UK (also world wide for temporary visits). Injury is also covered. All you would need to do is make a claim against your friends policy.

There are some exclusions such as "deliberate or malicious acts" but I'm sure you would all agree between you that little Tommy didn't do it on purpose. Anything to do with your business or occupation would also be excluded.

This would also cover something like little Tommy riding his bike on the pavement and falling off only to put a big scratch down the neighbours car. Another would be Dad hitting someone on the head with a ball whilst playing golf!

It seems that this very important cover is kept quiet by the insurance companies and not really pushed as a very important benefit. After 23 years in the insurance industry I have only seen it used a few times and that was only after the cover was pointed out by the broker (which I am one of).

The most recent high profile instance of this cover being used was when a child was unfortunately paralysed whilst on a bouncy castle at another childs party. The parents of the child sued the owners of the house for not supervising the bouncy castle correctly and the insurance company have settled a claim that will run into millions. Could any of us afford that!!

It shows that Contents insurance is not just for fire, flood or theft and that having cover at any cost is worth it.

Taffybiker

Ha! Ha! Not only would I not charge the parents I would pat little Tommy on the back.
Television programming is at an all time low with no signs of getting any better. Quite the opposite in fact. I would welcome a life without it completely and this would be a brilliant excuse not to buy another.

Before anyone says "don't watch it then" - I don't. It is only here for other household members.

On the other hand, I still would not be happy about anyone playing with a ball indoors.

maiasopohie

Would probably broach the subject very carefully but yes, my house insurance wont cover accidental damage, so I would expect some sort of compensation, eg: a new TV.

robpw2

accidents happen !!

Susan_Frost

If I was Tommy's mum I would offer to pay, and I would expect a guest to offer to pay if it was my telly.

I believe in outdoor toys and indoor toys, and balls are definitely for the outdoors. If Tommy was an unruly or disobedient child (parent's fault, by the way) then I just would not invite them to stay. Remain friends, yes, but do something other than stay at my home. If they were such good friends that they are invited, then it is odds on they would have similar values about behaviour to me anyway.

I'm not a strict parent. We have a big family and I'll be having at least 8 kids under 14 at mine on Boxing Day plus however many of my sister's foster children who are around.

They'll probably do a concert, have a disco, dress up, play with their presents, and generally be very messy and very noisy - but that still does not mean distructive - it means kids having a good time. There'll be the odd arguement, the odd spillage, but whichever adult is on hand will sort it.

Ornaments will go upstairs and the coffee table will be put across the front of the tv, so it doesn't get damaged.

ALSO

Why do some people bleat on about single parents. I was a single parent and expected to take responsibility for me and mine within society. Making them a special case just breeds resentment. We are quite capable of bringing up reasonably well behaved kids.

ALSO

Why do some people feel that if someone can afford something expensive it's ok for them to have it broken. Strikes me there's a lot of jealousy around.

I'll get off my soapbox now. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

euchrid

I would expect Tommy's parents to cough up without needing to ask them.
Accidents happen but it's a case of what's more important to them, the money or the friendship.

atrundell

ihatechoosingnames wrote: »

she's no longer welcome because of an accident? wow..seems a bit harsh.

I totally agree. That's really harsh. Do you really want to come between your son and his girlfriend? Not to mention making his girlfriend feel awful. I've been there and it's really not nice. What if your son did the damage? Then you're just punishing his girlfriend for no reason. Please reconsider!

RUFFYONEVILLA

Dont be silly as if you would ask GUESTS to pay for accidentally broken items.

If you have chosen not to take AD cover (which I think isn't worth it unless you are very accident prone) then tough titty, dont have people round if you cant accept a small risk of them damaging your stuff.

That said personally I'd be pretty pee'd off if my so called friends didn't at least offer to pay some towards a replacement.

If all else failed you could go and buy a new one on your credit card swop it for your broken one and claim the it was broken upon opening the box, and use the power of the credit card company to help you claim.

Obviously that is illegal though so its just a thought, and I wouldn't do anything like that.:D