Claiming on contents insurance

adaze

We've just been burgled, which was nice enough, obviously! We've just had the claim through form the CO-OP insurance (CIS). And they want receipts and manuals from everything we are claiming for :eek:!

Now three things I'm not sure about...

a) We most certainly don't have receipts for everything, the big things that were taken we have the original boxes from, i.e. two cameras, PS2, iPod, so I can supply those instead.

b) Most of the other items that were stolen were DVD's and PS2 games, I bought some of these second hand from ebay and paid via paypal so have those receipts. As I beleive it is new for old they should supply new versions of the game, right? I mean some of the games I bought for £2 and don't know if you can get them now!

c)What about the itemsI don't have receipts or manuals for, does that mean they won't pay out on those items

A bit concerned right now that they are going to try and get out of paying for what we lost!

Thx

McKneff

Its a horrible feeling isnt it. I have never been burgled but my car was broken into and i have had items stolen from my home also.

I dont see a problem with your claim, they will interview you over the telephone and as long as you are completely honest, everything will be fine.
Dont hold your breath though, they will ring you to make an appointment for someone else to ring you. I think this is the dept who have voice recognition machines. Not lie detectors you understand but it is amazing.
I have never had a problem with CIS and have been with them for 40 years now.

adaze

Thats good to know. I've all ready had the appointment and that seemed to go fine. I was just a bit concerned as I don't have receipts for most of the DVD's!

Thanks.

McKneff

I dont think they expect receipts for everything, you have been honest and have even told them you bought some from ebay, lots wouldnt admit that.
A couple of years ago my husband lost a gold bracelet out and about. I had bought it for a special anniversary around 20 years ago, it was really special.
No one has receipts after that length of time so they asked for any photographs showing my husband wearing it. Job done and they paid up no problem. One thing i will say is that they tried to give us a token to get a bracelet from a chain of jewellers but we wanted to go to our local long established jewellers, i had to wait a little longer but it was worth it. The bracelet was far better quality. Dont know if any jewellry was stolen from you, it was just a thought. Good luck, try not to be too upset, nobody got hurt, nobody died. They are only possessions which can be replaced.
Have a large glass of red/white/lager and sleep well.
regards
Annie

dacouch

As long as they are satisfied you owned the items they should pay for them, if you do not have receipts they will often accept other proof eg the boxes or possibly prove from ebay you bought them.

Hopefully you do not have a really old CIS policy that does not have new for old cover on it. If you have a modern CIS policy it should include New for Old Cover for most of your items even if you bought them cheap on ebay

adaze

It is a new (ish) policy so is new for old, so that should be fine. Thanks for the replies, all helps to reassure. Also no jewelry stolen, GF's Gucci watch was still sitting the side, they seemed to miss that, thankfully!

Interestingly, what had happened now though is that we actually FOUND the iPod that was stolen for sale in a local CEX (computer exchange), serial numbers matched and everything, have passed info onto the police so at least we may get that back! Nothing like doing a bit of your own investigations!

dacouch

Well done, the CEX normally take proof of ID of people they buy from so assuming the person used their own ID the police may be able to catch them.

This is a good example of how noting your serial numbers can help prove an item is yours to the police or your Insurer

McKneff

adaze wrote: »

It is a new (ish) policy so is new for old, so that should be fine. Thanks for the replies, all helps to reassure. Also no jewelry stolen, GF's Gucci watch was still sitting the side, they seemed to miss that, thankfully!

Interestingly, what had happened now though is that we actually FOUND the iPod that was stolen for sale in a local CEX (computer exchange), serial numbers matched and everything, have passed info onto the police so at least we may get that back! Nothing like doing a bit of your own investigations!

good for you for being so organised. I hope they catch the !!!!!!s.
i have no patience with thieves. I work hard, have done all my life
and some little toerag comes along and takes what i have worked for ---
oh - dont get me started

bobnliz

I was burgled years ago not long after I bought my first flat, I lost all the usual things, TV, camera etc but they also took several large framed pictures which was a little weird as they were of very little value with the exception of a set of 3 antique prints which had been a present from my parents. My insurers loss adjuster was a little sceptical and asked if I had any photos of myself standing in front of the prints - answer no! They finally accepted a letter from my parents stating the approx value and year & place of purchase (this happened to be Paris in the 1960's)
Following this incident I now take photographs of all the major items in my house (as do my parents). I have also mentioned on another thread an online inventory service underyourroof.com which offers a facility to store the photos online

McKneff

Hi bobnliz. Good idea about the photos, see my earlier post.
the even better way is to take photos of your prized possession with you actually in the photo with other familiar things around. they usually take this as proof of possession if no receipts are available.