Contents Insurance Advice Required

jst0076

Hi there, I'm new to this forum, but there seems to be a lot of good advice floating around, so was hoping someone might be able to help.

I regularly travel with my camera gear in my car (this is contents insurance related honest). Its worth approximately £1600. I haven't given it a thought until recently, but it turns out that it wouldn't be covered by my car insurance. Its a company car and we're self insured and there is a blanket policy of no pay outs on personal items stolen from leased vehicles.

So, I looked at my contents insurance in more detail, and provided its been stored in the boot, if it gets stolen from the car, the personal posessions section of my contents insurance would cover it up to the value of £1500 per single claim. Close enough to the actual value.

My query is that when I signed up to my insurance policy, there did not ask for details of any items to be covered. All of my camera kit except for one lens was bought for me as a gift, so I have no receipts. If it were to be stolen, would the insurance company just take my word for it (I don't think so!). Basically, what should I do to ensure that I could claim should I ever need to? Should I take photos of all my kit? The same stands for if my house is broken into? Should I photograph my expensive computer and LCD TV setup, or again, would they just accept my word as proof that I ever owned that?

The above comments might sound really sceptical, because I'm basically assuming that an isurance company will challenge every claim, but if I'm not going to get exact replacements for my posessions, then I might as well not pay for the insurance in the first place...

Thanks in advance for any comments and advice.

bookgirl_2

Hi and welcome to the site!

Firstly, when you say "close enough to the real value" check that your policy does not have an 'average' clause in the personal posessions section. This will say something about if your sum insured (the £1500) is inadequate than the claim can be reduced proportionately. Few insurers enforce this unless you are well out but nonetheless you should check.

Secondly, with regard to proof of ownership should items be stolen - insurers will ask you to present reasonable proof of your claim. This might include receipts, packaging, manuals, photographs, valuations, repair invoices ...
How much is required depends on the circumstances of the claim and the particular insurer. Some will, if they doubt the claim, rely on a strict proof requirement i.e. they might only pay for what you can prove. However, having too much proof, especially things like photos may lead to doubts in itself.

Sorry not to be able to give a more definitive answer.
R

clear_blu

You could always drop a line to the underwriters explaining the circumstances and ask them what proof of value they would require in the event of a claim.
At the least you would need the name, type, model and serial number.
From memory I do not think that items under the personal possessions section are covered on a 'new for old' basis. I mean that age, wear and tear are taken into account, check your policy to confirm this.