Challenging loss adjusters settlement?

DebtfreebyAugust

Dear MSE forumites,

I am hoping I will get some sound advice from you regarding our insurance claim. Sadly we were burgled a couple of weeks ago. Among the items that were stolen were a camera and a camcorder. The camera in its day was around £185-200 when bought. The Camcorder cost around £650-700. The camcorder was top spec and a Which 'best buy' 4 years ago.

Today the loss adjuster got in touch with me to offer 'replacements' for the stolen items. I was slightly taken aback as it seems to me that in both cases the products offered are of inferior quality and monetary value. In particular the value of the replacement camcorder is £400 and a quick look on the Which reviews reveal that the camcorder is seen to be 'mediocre'. My question is - do I just accept the vouchers to the value of the replacement product offered, humbly and gratefully? Or should I challenge the loss adjusters judgement? If I do go down that route - what would be the best strategy to challenge their opinion? Has anyone any experience of doing this successfully?

Your views and advice would be most welcome. Thank you in advance!

DFBA

maginot

Does the replacement have the same specifications? I would have thought a £400 camcorder is probably of a higher standard than a £650 camcorder 4 years ago.

Technology changes very quickly, I remember buying a PC for £1200. Two years later, you could get higher spec computer for less than £500?

dacouch

As maginot has mentioned, Insurers do not need to replace a camera bought for £600 4 years ago with the same value camera as technology moves on quickly and reduces in price.

However if you had say a Sony they should be trying to replace with a similar quality of brand rather than say a Currys own brand.

DebtfreebyAugust

You are right that technology has moved on. To buy the same camera now or same spec would be impossible. Its not so much the £ value that I reacted to .. more that when I went to read the Which review of the camera suggested as a replacement, that it was pretty derisory. If I am to have a replacement camera I would at least like to have one that is of decent quality given that the camera I had was top of the range when I bought it. Also in terms of some of the features that my camcorder had - the suggested replacement does not have, so Im not sure that the suggested camera is an adequate replacement. Im still keen to know if anyone has challenged the decision of a loss adjuster sucessfully, and on what grounds? Do tell!

DFBA

VictorM_2

If as you say the camera that they are offering does not have the same feature set as your old one work with that as that's your best bet.

What the previous posters say is correct - just because you paid however much for a camera several years ago does not mean you will get a camera for the same amount today.

It probably wasn't the loss adjuster who valuated the camera anyway, it was probably a third party validation supplier like Direct Validation Services who tend to be pretty good when you come to them with a problem like this - just ask them to revalidate and tell them what features on your old camera you need on your new one.

Hope this helps.

DebtfreebyAugust

I just wanted to thank you for your advice and helping me to adjust my expectations of this process. I will try to challenge the loss adjuster but on the basis of the features that my camera had. i will let you know how it goes!

Thanks again
DFBA

Souvignon_Lass

We are having much the same kind of problem. My lovely Dell laptop had a drink accidentally spilled on it. I sent it to a local computer company to see if it was reparable, and also to obtain a report to confirm damage if not. This cost £80.00 plus VAT. As it was unrealistic to repair it the laptop was collected by DVS. They suggested a Toshiba laptop £519 and a Sony Laptop £549 - both from PC World/Currys. I went on line but none of these machines were in stock as they had been reduced in price. There were a couple about 30 miles away that were display models. You cannot reserve these - you travel and hope for the best. If I cannot have a Dell then I would prefer the Sony. We have 3 Sony TVs and I am happy with the quality. They will only supply from Currys/PC World - even though both machines are unavailable. I then said I will have the cash - and am still waiting. The cash will be £519 - the cost of the non existant Toshiba!! There is one of the Sony laptops at my local Sony Dealer but it is £575.00 - £56.00 short. Add that to the Report of £80.00 plus VAT and my excess of £100 I am not best pleased!!! We are going to phone the insurers tonight and not DVS.

chanz4

sony are way over priced, when it comes to fixing they are sony only places as they restrict the oem part sales