Contents Accidental Damge Claim for a Computer

AdamSqu

Greetings all, this is my first post and ironically my first potential contents claim so a little unsure about the process.

I dropped my computer down my stairs this morning which has resulted in sufficient damage to the machine for it to stop working completley. I am unsure at this stage as to whether this can be fixed or otherwise so wanted to see if this would be protected by my policy.

Checking my policy details it appears that i should be covered but my concerns are that the machine itself is nearly 6yrs old (Apple Mac G5...its been a relaible workhorse!!). I purchased the machine for just under £1300 back then but i can only assume its value now will have decreased so again i am unsure how such a thing would be looked at and whether the new for old element of the policy would apply.

I have my policy with AXA with a £50 excess....is this worth claiming for?

Thanks
Adam

dacouch

Dropping a 6 year old computer down stairs will ring alarm bells with an Insurer.

How did you manage to do that?

As you suspect, the Insurers will pay (They will normally arrange a replacement themselves) for a new computer of the same or similar specification as the old computer.

[Deleted User]

Yes. Your insurance may increase, never bothered me much though!

AXA will value your PC (if you have new for old - you probably do have) You will likely get a basic model (price) unless it's something special like a touch screen :-)

So the steps are, call the claims number and explain what happened (briefly)

Someone calls back and asks you what happened in detail, they try and catch you out, record your call and use the alledged lie detector software (they say they do, I don't know if they do)

They send you a claim form out in the post and ask you to complete a statement of what happened (it must match - so ensure you remember details)

They then either

1. Send a courier to collect your item

2. Ask you to get a quote for the repair

If option 1 expect a call from BeValued and they then take your item, see if it can be repaired (most can't be) call you and offer you a settlement replacement, you can ask what the value is and take cash at this point.

If option 2, you get the quote for repair (a report costs about £40 - you get this back if you win) (probably because they think you are a liar and won't), you then go back to option 1 and still end up at the BeValued stage (They are a contractor of AXA)

So quite simple, seems difficult, but not so bad as long as you are genuine or a very good liar. HTH - Any questions let me know.

AdamSqu

dacouch wrote: »

Dropping a 6 year old computer down stairs will ring alarm bells with an Insurer.

How did you manage to do that?

As you suspect, the Insurers will pay (They will normally arrange a replacement themselves) for a new computer of the same or similar specification as the old computer.

Yes - i can see why an insurer would need to calm their bells so thanks for clarifying that and clearly adopting a suspicious approach to my post.

The finer details are that i am involved in audio production/engineering in my spare time and was taking my machine out of the house to load up my car for a recording session. If you have had experience with G5 apple Macs then you would be aware that they are heavy pieces of equipment. The machine slipped out of my hands.

dacouch

Do you receive any type of payment for the audio production / engineering

Browntoa

are your insurers aware that you run your business from home ??

AdamSqu

I don't receive payments apart from beer, the odd free ticket to a gig here and there. Its a hobby that i enjoy in my spare time. I therefore do not run a business from my home. I am employed on a full time basis.

forgotmyname

Excess + increased premium could equal more than the cost of buying a new computer.

Im sure they will query why you were carrying the computer down the stairs.

Faith177

They may still class the odd beer or gig ticket as payment of services so may be worth checking this with them

chanz4

hmrc class people that have food instead of money as working.

[Deleted User]

People please! Just don't talk about any sort of work or anything like that, it's your computer for you and your enjoyment, you broke it when you dropped it down the stairs, that's it.

Simple claim.

I claimed for a similar circumstances, my payment was little over £1000 and when I renewed the insurance was £12 more expensive, the Policy now costs me £11 per month.

I use AXA and I did exactly what you propose. No biggy as I can see!