Watchdog tonight

chris_n_tj

I had this problem with Lloyds TSB 4 years ago . We put a claim in for a lost gold and diamond bangle, all ok so far. The bangle was found the next afternoon in the garden. Being honest I phoned the TSB up and told them we had found the bangle (valued at £300) so wouldnt need to claim after all.

For being honest they increased our excess to £250 as we had had 3 claims in 5 years. (the bangle counted as a claim) I might as well just let the claim go through. I was'nt happy and cancelled my policey with them.

I phoned around and told my new insurer what had happened they still insured me and at a good price for more cover. We now have full no claims and great cover.

The TSB still try and sell me insurance I tell then they never will my money again.

System

dantheman2010 wrote: »

Well I just tried to compare some home insurance on moneysupermarket.com and this was the question asked;

Have you made a claim in the last 5 years?

Yes or No

If you select yes you have to put date of claim, what happened, how much it cost etc

Well I didn’t claim, it didn’t cost anything etc. So what on earth would I fill in?

So what would you do?

So, on that site, the answer would be = "No"

But...
If / When you continue and select a company and go to their website, you must check if their question on the proposal form reads the same. It may read differently and you need to check all your answers remain valid.

Quentin

BAA1 wrote: »

So, on that site, the answer would be = "No"

The poster says the site is moneysupermarket.

If that is true, then they definitely require you to declare all incidents, not just any "claims".

System

Quentin wrote: »

The poster says the site is moneysupermarket.

If that is true, then they definitely require you to declare all incidents, not just any "claims".

Thanks Quentin, 3 additional posts appeared during the time I was researching and typing my last reply, fast moving thread

interstellaflyer

Off topic slightly but people have mentioned windscreen claims. A work colleague has just had the windscreen replaced on a 2000 (W reg ) Golf GTi, cost him just over £200 to get done at a local independant fitter, so take off the £70 excess and what such a claim is likely to cost you on future insurance, it may be worth getting some quotes from independents before even thinking about contacting your insurance company, also find out what they charge for repairs, my guess is not much and probably in the long term a lot cheaper than the so called freebies done on your insurance.

System

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Off topic slightly but people have mentioned windscreen claims. A work colleague has just had the windscreen replaced on a 2000 (W reg ) Golf GTi, cost him just over £200 to get done at a local independant fitter, so take off the £70 excess and what such a claim is likely to cost you on future insurance, it may be worth getting some quotes from independents before even thinking about contacting your insurance company, also find out what they charge for repairs, my guess is not much and probably in the long term a lot cheaper than the so called freebies done on your insurance.

You may have missed the point, even if you go to an independant for a repair, you must still declare the damaged windscreen to your insurance company. The renewal premium may or may not go up for the next year, that depends on the particular insurance companies processes.

dantheman2010

dantheman2010 wrote: »

I have now had a look next to the claim bit and it says;

Tell us of any claims or losses in the last 5 years made by you or any person living with you even if you or they were not insured, did not make a claim, or the claim was turned down

Well they then want you to put in the claim value of £0.01 or more, what would I put in this? I didnt claim as I didnt need to, so I have no idea what the value WOULD have been IF I had needed to claim, as it turned out to be a simple DIY job.

So what would I put as the claim amount? The cost of the tins of paint?

interstellaflyer

BAA1 wrote: »

You may have missed the point, even if you go to an independant for a repair, you must still declare the damaged windscreen to your insurance company. The renewal premium may or may not go up for the next year, that depends on the particular insurance companies processes.

Why? would you tell the insurance company if you got a pucture or a tyre blow out that caused no other damage than the need of a new tyre? Windscreens are a consumable item affected by wear and tear just like any other component of your car, if you keep the car long enough you are bound to need to replace the windscreen at some point, the insurance companies have no need to know you've replaced it at your own cost and who's going to tell them? how are they likely to find out?

mavisangelica

It's an absolute minefield. On this basis, as I have accidental cover on my contents insurance (I need to check the wording on the policy when I get home) then anything I accidentally break in the house, I would have to report - right down to a cup that I might have accidentally dropped and broken.

System

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Why? would you tell the insurance company if you got a pucture or a tyre blow out that caused no other damage than the need of a new tyre? Windscreens are a consumable item affected by wear and tear just like any other component of your car, if you keep the car long enough you are bound to need to replace the windscreen at some point, the insurance companies have no need to know you've replaced it at your own cost and who's going to tell them? how are they likely to find out?

You are still missing the point, tyre blow outs are not covered by a normal car insurance policy so damage to tyres is not classed as material, but damage to windscreens is covered so is material, and you agreed to T&Cs which state that you must inform the insurance company of all material facts even when no claim is made. It goes to assessment of risk, if you have suffered from chips of the windscreen, then your driving profile makes it more likely that you will have other incidents of windscreen damage and hence possible claims.
(By the way, I would think many people would dispute your idea that windscreens should be classed as consumable)

The fact that the insurance company may not find out about a damaged windscreen does not give a policy holder the right to withold material facts because that is a breach of the contract.