Home insurance TV claim

Redshock

I need to make a claim on my home contents insurance for an LCD TV screen that I cracked when slipped off a step ladder, (I landed on the bed, the step ladder landed on the TV)

I’m with the prudential, I’ve checked and I’m covered for the accidental damage, just a couple of questions as the Pru don’t seem the most forth coming with answers and their website isn’t’ much help.

On average how long does it take for a claim to be settled? i.e. I get a new TV

Will they replace like for like, as the TV I’ve got is no longer manufactured. It’s a year and a half old, but Toshiba have discontinued it.

Will the send an assessor to my house, the TV was worth £1200?

Thanks.

gazza975526570

In my experience i would say it unlinkely in the first instance an assesor would be sent however a specialist Dept may deal with the claim. Claims like this are prone to fraud (im not implying yours is as accidents do happen) and lots of insurers are clamping down on fraud. Im sure when you call your claim will be checked for "fraud indicators" ie how long you have been with them, previous claims, your evidence of the claim etc. Once they decide to deal with the claim they will probably pass your details to a supplier who will arrange repair/replace.

If all ok on first phone call they should call within a day or so

Yes they will replace like for like

Astaroth

For a home policy it would normally trigger an inspector to go round and look at it but single items are sometimes treated differently - especially when it isnt an extortionate price for the type of item. It may be they simply appoint their approved repairers/ suppliers for the TV to check the item cannot be repaired and arrange the replacement if it is not cost effective to repair.

They will attempt to replace it like for like... the "problem" is that in areas of fast moving technology a like for like is frequently not possible and therefore there is some balance between "brand" and improvements in technology. For an easier (and more extreme) example. If you bought a top of the range Sony laptop 8 years ago, so probably a pentium 2 processor, 128mb ram etc it simply isnt possible to do any real form of like for like... even the absolute bottom of the range Sony laptop now is going to be massively higher specification with a Pentium 4 processor etc and therefore they would most likely "reduce" the brand down to something like a Dell

courtjester

Home technology tends to drop in price as features are improved and new models come out. When you say the set was 'worth' £1200 are you referring to the original purchase price? - if so, it is likely that a similar spec model would cost less to buy new now, possibly down around the £900-£1000 mark.

Insurers generally like to replace items like this so when you discuss with their suppliers, you need to bear in mind that they will probably suggest a model at a lower price and this is reasonable.

However, TV screens and particularly LCD screens do vary enormously in quality so you need to try and take a test drive of the suggested replacement (at a local dealer) before you accept - I would say generally it is OK to stick with the same manufacturer, but it doesn't necessarily follow that the 'new' model will be better than the old - Toshiba are a great make, but not all their models are 'best buys' and there is a tendency for manufacturers to bring in new models with LESS features when replacing a range (a bit like Mars bars getting smaller but the price remaining the same).

What you are looking to do is replace with the same features and screen display quality so it is definitely best to try and get to see the model in operation before committing to it.

Also, check that the new model has the right connections you need to incorporate in your existing set up - a favourite trick of manufacturers is to drop the range of connections (scarts, component, dvi, etc,) on newer models so you could end up with a TV you can't use...!

Redshock

Thanks for the replies,

I’ve never claimed before and after talking to the Pru today I don’t think I’ll have any problems.

I paid £1200 for it at the beginning of the year, which at the time was an excellent price, it is possible to pick up a similar spec now for £1000. I’ve looked at the latest Toshiba LCD’s and they still appear to be of excellent quality, most of the reviews seem good and I think I would try and stick with that manufacturer.

I would need 2 HDMI sockets on any replacement as I already have those hooked up and 2 scart sockets as these are also in use.

I can assure that it was a total accident, I really liked the TV and I’m sorry to see it go, it’s just not the same watching a 14” portable.

reksat

Just registered a claim with the Prudential. Only the second in 25 years, pay them monthly for pension as well.
Last night my television (18 months old) cost £330 fell down from one of our wall units. The shelf collapsed and no one was near it. The wall unit, one of three is 25 years old and was £350 each, costing a total of £1050 in 1984 very expensive at that time. For 25 years we have used the same shelf for all our tv`s. The tv is broken and two shelves are split and the wall unit is heavily scratched where the tv and shelves fell forward.
Girl has taken details of tv but says wall unit will not be covered as it was old and put it down to wear and tear. This surely can`t be right. The wall unit in my opinion is worth more than the tv. It was damaged by an accident,(the tv falling) and nowhere on the policy does it say that if your furniture is old it won`t be covered. any advice or do I just need to bear it. I always thought home contents were insured for fire, theft and DAMAGE.

mattymoo

Majority of policies are new for old. Wear and tear deductions are made on clothing, linen and carpets.

The wall unit should certainly be covered. What do they do if you have antique furniture?

Airwolf1

I would say contra. A lot of companies we inspect for expect part of some claims to mention wear and tear, previous condition of item prior to accident etc. If it is 25 years old, they are probably looking at it the angle of it having served it's time.

With respect to antique furniture, unsure how that would be treated. If you disagree with what they say, you may be able to request an adjudicator look at it.