Insurance co refusing to accept claim for Laptop!

Legacy_user

I would like some advice pls.

I have never claimed off my buildings and contents insurance but after a recent house move, my husband dropped our Sony Vaio laptop on a concrete floor in the house. I took it back where we bought it from because it was just one hinge that had broken but they told us it was irrepairable and to claim off our contents. I have accidental damage cover so I claimed, only to be told that the laptop is classed as a personal possession and so is not covered because we don't have additional cover for personal possessions.

I have looked through my policy details and it only details that we have not purchased additional cover for items outside the home, nothing about a personal possession inside the home. It is also a large laptop so we never take it out of the house, it is kept in the study and never moved.

Is there any point in me trying to argue with them about this or should I just begrudgingly accept what they're telling me?

Any advice would be much appreciated...

dacouch

Which Insurer is it?

System

dacouch wrote: »

Which Insurer is it?

I purchased the policy through the Post Office but is is underwritten by Legal & General.

System

Selden wrote: »

It would be helpful if we knew which type of policy and which insurer is involved. Could you post details please?

It is a combined buildings and contents policy with accidental damage cover, bought online through the Post Office but underwritten by Legal & General.

System

Selden wrote: »

Ah - as far as I know the Post Office home insurance wording is not available online and I do not have a copy...

However it appears from the Post Office website that there are two levels of accidental damage cover - do you know which you have?

Our standard "new for old" policy protects your contents against damage by fire, smoke, subsidence, malicious damage, theft, storm, explosion, lightning and flood. It also covers accidental damage to non-portable home entertainment equipment, such as televisions, recording and audio equipment, television games, monitors and printers.

For a small additional cost, you can add the Full Accidental Damage option. This is will cover anything both sudden and unexpected, such as spilling wine on a carpet, or dropping a vase.

I have just checked my policy which I downloaded and saved on to my pc... not sure if I can add a link so that you are able to view it but it ssimply states on my policy schedule that accidental damage cover is included... Nothing about standard or full. The schedule states the only 2 types of additional cover not included ' cover outside the home' and 'family legal protection'.

magpiecottage

Without seeing the actual wording of the policy or knowing the exact circumstances, I think the insurer would probably have a hard time persuading the Financial Ombudsman Service that an accident within the home should not be covered - we have three laptops, a desktop and a netbook in regular use but only the netbook ever gets taken out of the home (although we do have personal possessions cover).

You need to make clear that you are dissatisfied to the insurer first and they have up to eight weeks to respond. Only after they respond (or after eight weeks if sooner) can you go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

I think it more likely than not that you would win but it will take a long time.

bouncydog1

Have a look at the policy wording and see what is defined as a "personal possession".

sugared_honey

I can't remember where abouts it is, but unfortunately you do need personal possessions cover under any budget/post office policy to be able to claim for a laptop. They either exclude it under accidental damage (or accidental damage to audio visual) by excluding laptops, or portable computer equipment.

PNPSUKNET

I have to specify my laptops with my insurer, our previous was a l&g rainbow policy and we have to name in on their also. I would take the laptop to a 3rd party company not a supermarket (pc world/ currys) and if it is just a hinge can be fixed very easy.

System

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

I have to specify my laptops with my insurer, our previous was a l&g rainbow policy and we have to name in on their also. I would take the laptop to a 3rd party company not a supermarket (pc world/ currys) and if it is just a hinge can be fixed very easy.

I have taken it to PC World and also a small shop in our neighbourhood, both have said the hinge can't be repaired. I might try and do it myself!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

what model Sony Vaio, you might find a hinge here.