Cautionary Tale.

fredsoaf

My wife and I recently travelled to Bahrain and Dubai and then back to the UK. On all legs of the journey my wife packed her 80 gig iPod in her suitcase to reduce the weight in her handbag. When we opened our cases back home there was no iPod, although it had been packed before leaving to fly back. We had taken out travel insurance with Insure and Go before we left, so we weren't too concerned.

How stupid we were. Insure and Go rejected our claim on the basis that the iPod should have been in my wife's handbag. The claim was refused under 'exclusion number 13' that 'advises that no cover is provided for loss, theft or damage to valuables not carried in your hand baggage while you are travelling.' We subsequently discovered that this information was contained on the Insure and Go website.

That's my sad story and I offer it as a warning for all unsuspecting innocents like myself. I feel morally that I have been treated most unfairly by Insure and Go. I also feel that it is shady practise for any insurance company to have restrictions on its policies that are not brought to the customer's attention.

Is this sort of thing general practice among travel insurance suppliers? Are there other restrictions not generally known about? Is it right and fair that people buying insurance to reduce their risk of loss are buying policies that fail to protect them? And isn't it about time that companies like Insure and Go started to offer a proper travel insurance and not an excuse for one?

anniecave

i guess it pays to read the terms and conditions carefully. I would always pack something valuable in my hand luggage anyway....

RibAd

Really, it's up to YOU to read the terms and conditions of the policy that you are buying, or at least familiarise yourself with the industry standard. typically, yes, across the majority of insurance companies, valuables should be on your person or carry on belonging and yes, it is written in the t+cs should you decide to read them.

It's unfortunate you realised it all when the event occured, but I don't feel you been mistreated or particulary sympathise as it is written in the t+cs and not the case that they're trying to con you.

At least you're aware of this now for future trips !!

cazziebo

The thanks buttons have disappeared...?

Thanks for bringing that to everyone's attention Fredsoaf. Yes we should all read the small print but so many of us don't. I also think it's a bit shocking that there's no recourse when something has so obviously been stolen from packed and checked in luggage. No wonder this is a growing problem.

Sorry that spoiled your holiday..

Cazzie

missile

My insurance declined to pay on similar grounds. They argued that leather is luxury goods and rejected my claim.

Suggest like I did, you go for a.n.other insurer and check the conditions next time.

I would suggest that an ipod is hardly "valuables". It might be worth checking the definition in your policy.

Your houshold insurance may cover loss of items away from home?

olly300

missile wrote: »

I would suggest that an ipod is hardly "valuables". It might be worth checking the definition in your policy.

Insure and Go obviously disagree with you. You can read their policy wording on their website http://www.insureandgo.com/travel-insurance/downloads/Standard-Policy-Wording.pdf

They define valuables as:

• MP3 players [which an Ipod is a type]
• blackberrys (hand held computers)
• photographic, electronic, audio and video equipment
• computer equipment
• leather goods
• jewellery
• watches
• fur
• leisure and sports equipment
• anything with precious stones
• articles made of or containing gold or silver or other precious metals
• hearing aids
• musical instruments
• mobile phones
• bioculars
• antiques
• silks

In addition the majority of insurance companies have a limit on what you can claim for a single item. This is normally £150-£200.

If your single item is over this then you are not insured. So if they are lost/stolen the insurance company will not pay out.

BTW I often take 2 different digital cameras on trips with me, both of which are over the standard limit of most insurers single item limit. Therefore I either make sure that my household contents insurance covers this when I'm abroad (some don't do worldwide) OR I pay slightly more for insurance and get a bigger single item limit.

FlameCloud

olly300 wrote: »

If your single item is over this then you are not insured. So if they are lost/stolen the insurance company will not pay out.

I'm sorry, but thats completly wrong. It is a limit, not a maximum value.

RibAd

cazziebo wrote: »

I also think it's a bit shocking that there's no recourse when something has so obviously been stolen from packed and checked in luggage. No wonder this is a growing problem.

Sadly there isn't.... except to take it up with the airline flown with and log it with them.