Claiming for laptop on contents insurance

jd87

We haven't had to claim on insurance for anything for years so I'm just wondering if people can advise about what to expect.

It's a broken laptop screen (see my other threads). We think it is a manufacturers fault, but manufacturer and retailer don't want to know. Admittedly there is a small chance it could be accidental damage. If we claim on our contents insurance and say "It's accidental damage but we don't know exactly how it happened" will that be ok?

Assuming they cover it, what will happen? Will we get a cheque straight away for the purchase price? Will they want us to send them the laptop, and will the repair it or replace it maybe? If they replace it will I get to keep the broken one?

_Andy_

If you think it's a manufacturer fault then a claim for AD would be fraudulent.

jd87

OK let me rephrase. I think I have a case under the Sales of Goods Act because I don't think the laptop was built sturdy enough and seems to have broken despite careful use. Nevertheless, the damage seems likely to have been caused through use (perhaps closing the lid a little too harshly?) - so surely this is accidental damage?

Aside from all that, can someone please just tell me what the procedure will be with making the claim. Thanks.

sugared_honey

jd87 wrote: »

OK let me rephrase. I think I have a case under the Sales of Goods Act because I don't think the laptop was built sturdy enough and seems to have broken despite careful use. Nevertheless, the damage seems likely to have been caused through use (perhaps closing the lid a little too harshly?) - so surely this is accidental damage?

Aside from all that, can someone please just tell me what the procedure will be with making the claim. Thanks.

Slight contradiction above.

You've already said that you don't think the cause is accidental damage, therefore to submit a claim on those grounds would be fraudulant. Not really worth it for a cheap laptop in my eyes.

jd87

Oh !!!!!! I'M NOT COMMITTING INSURANCE FRAUD HERE. I don't think I closed it too harshly, but the manufacturer and retailer do - therefore whatever I think, they are saying ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. Get that into your skull.

Let's try again shall we? Ignore everything else I have said. I picked up my laptop and, I don't know, accidentally dropped it down the stairs. The screen is now broken. Please answer my previous questions. Thanks...

sugared_honey

Ok, ignoring that then, you place claim, insurance company inspects laptop, sees that the damage is not consistent with the circumstances and that it is in fact a manufacturers fault, no impact damage so no incident, no incident so ph has been telling porkies? Worse case scenario is that they might cancel the policy? And all the consequences that come with that.

jd87

Look. I have a broken (and actually quite expensive) laptop here and nobody wants to help me. Why are you so insistent on being difficult? Why don't you just help me?

jd87

I don't really know how to explain it better than this. The lid was closed after someone was using it. Then the next time I switched it on there was a crack slap bang in the middle of the screen. It looks like it has been closed in some incorrect manner. I was just trying to be honest by explaining that I don't actually know for sure.

No offence sugared_honey but maybe you're not used to technology or something. This isn't like claiming for a window where you either hit it with a cricket ball or you didn't. Laptops can be complicated... I'm sure the insurance company will understand that even if you don't.

_Andy_

What a charmer.

sugared_honey

jd87 wrote: »

Oh !!!!!! I'M NOT COMMITTING INSURANCE FRAUD HERE. I don't think I closed it too harshly, but the manufacturer and retailer do - therefore whatever I think, they are saying ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. Get that into your skull.

Let's try again shall we? Ignore everything else I have said. I picked up my laptop and, I don't know, accidentally dropped it down the stairs. The screen is now broken. Please answer my previous questions. Thanks...

Sorry JD87, actually I am used to technology, I'm also used to fraudulent claims and I'm only going off the information you've given us so far.

I think your best bet, as you've previously suggested in another post (if this is practical for you), is to get the new screen for £80 and have it replaced. It doesn't sound like your warranty is alot of good tbh. Or, if you take it to a pc repair shop, if you can get them to confirm that it is a manufacturers fault (they may charge for this but it shouldn't be too time consuming for them as its not anything like the motherboard etc) and then approach tesco/acer again.

jd87

I am the first person to say insurance fraud is wrong. Why only yesterday a poster came on asking about car insurance fronting. I told her it was called fronting and would be considered fraud.

However neither of you seem to have actually read my post properly or understood the situation. I came asking simple questions and all I got was a lecture.