Home Insurance - Loss Definition

graham17_2

Hi,

My home insurance is due up during the month of November, and I had a question.

My wife lost her mobile phone whilst on holiday. I was going to claim it on the travel insurance, but decided not to bother as it turned out they would claim jointly with my home insurance, and that would count as a claim (I checked with the home insurance). I figured for the cost of the phone (approx £150), it wouldn't be worth then having a claim on the record.

However, I've recently found out that companies also ask about any loss over the past however many years. When I take out home insurance, do I need to mention that a phone has been lost?

If that's the case, do I need to mention anything that has been lost/broken, etc. from the house over the past 3-5 years?

To me, that seem insane. I'm sure the majority of people taking out home insurance have either lost, or broken, something in the past years.

I was just wondering where I stand on this. Obviously putting it down would up premiums, but would not putting it run the risk of insurance being cancelled?

When I did speak to the home insurance to ask the question about whether a claim with the travel insurance would count as a claim with them, I didn't go through to notifications.

Any advice would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks,

Graham.

I was just wondering what I should do in this case.

graham17_2

The airtime provider was notified, so the SIM card and phone were blocked after the loss.

Just an FYI - as I figured that knowledge may be useful.

graham17_2

I notice places all seem to ask about claims, losses and accidents. When you click yes, for a loss, they bring up a 'Claims' box and basically seem to not distinguish between a claim and something that was just a loss, but didn't claim.

I'm wondering then if it's better to just claim anyway, since it seems to affect you just as much whether you claim or not!!!

What does anyone think?

In this case, do I need to put down a phone was lost (if I don't claim)?

If I do, am I just as well claiming, or would I be worse off having actually made a claim?

Thanks,

Graham.

garth549

The problem is if you contacted your existing insurer about the loss they may have logged it on the CUE database (shared between insurers).

If they have then you will have to declare it or you run the risk of having a future policy voided or cancelled. If this happens it will badly affect your insurance for the rest of your life.

graham17_2

Well it was notified to the travel insurance, so I assume they'll have logged it. I assume that database is shared too? It's not been claimed, but it has been notified.

Plus T-Mobile were notified, so there's a record of it there, if it ever comes back.

I enquired with my existing home insurance, and they wanted to put me through to notifications if I planned to claim via travel insurance, but I didn't follow through with that.

I assume given all that, it's been logged somehow?

So am I right in saying they penalise me just as much for a 'loss' as they do a 'claim'? So I might as well claim?

graham17_2

It's also looking like we wouldn't be able to make the claim since the local police on holiday didn't give us a report, or a reference number.

It was reported, but the insurance terms say you're not covered if there isn't a report...

So basically this would mean we couldn't claim, plus it'd also put the insurance up by approx £100, at least for the first year, and we'd need to buy the replacement phone out of our own pocket.

So we can't claim, and we still have to pay more...

Any thoughts?

Graham.

graham17_2

Ok, disregard all of the above!

Turns out the phone hasn't been lost. Have just spoken to people that we stayed with and it turns out they have it, by mistake, and just hadn't been able to get in touch with us yet.

I've updated the relevant insurance companies to let them know that no claim will be made, as there has been no loss.

My wife is out of the bad books now! Well, a little in the bad books as she gave me a heart attack at the thought of having to put down a 'loss' and still not being able to claim.

But as there is no loss, I'm a very happy man now (and so is my wallet!), and can thankfully tick the NO! button when asked abouts claims, losses, etc.

Phew!

Sorry for wasting your time in the end.

Graham.

garth549

It might be worth contacting both again just to make sure they haven't logged it as a loss on CUE.

There have been some horror stories about queries that shouldn't have been logged as losses being added without people realising it. It's a good idea to be as careful as possible.

graham17_2

I've contacted both so they can put a note that it's not been lost.

Do I need to go further and specifically ask has it been logged on CUE, and if so, to remove/amend it?

When I spoke to them, I asked if they could note that it's not been lost.

Do you think that's sufficient? Or should I call back. If so, what exactly do you reckon I should say?

Thanks,

Graham.